Dallas Basketball

Jason Kidd reveals bold Mavericks plan for Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg could be playing point guard against the Lakers in the NBA Summer League.
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cooper Flagg before the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cooper Flagg before the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

In this story:


The Dallas Mavericks held Cooper Flagg's introductory press conference on Friday, officially welcoming him to his new home. It's the franchise's first top overall pick since 1981 when they selected Mark Aguirre.

Flagg was the team's only selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, and they have major plans for the former Duke star. It has been reported that Mavs head coach Jason Kidd sees Flagg similar to Grant Hill, as someone who can have the ball in his hands as a point forward. That'll immediately be out to the test.

READ MORE: NBA makes Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, Lakers' Bronny James announcement

Cooper FLagg
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cooper Flagg arrives before the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The plan is for Cooper Flagg to likely play in the first two games of the NBA Summer League. The NBA announced the first game of the Summer League would be between the Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers, who will be led by Bronny James. Mavericks called out for 'low-balled' new contract for Kyrie Irving

"I want to put [Flagg] at point guard, make him feel uncomfortable," Jason Kidd said about that first game. "I’m excited to give him the ball against the Lakers and see what happens."

It'll be a good first litmus test for the Mavs and Flagg to see where he is with his ball-handling. They're going to need him to be an offensive initiator in the regular season, with Kyrie Irving expected to be out until January or February because of his ACL injury. And the point guards they're looking to sign are going to be stop-gaps at best. It'll be best for Flagg's development and the team's long-term success if he can consistently create against NBA defenders from day one.

That first Summer League matchup against the Lakers is slated for July 10th at 7 p.m. CST.

READ MORE: Mavericks called out for 'low-balled' new contract for Kyrie Irving

Stick with MavericksGameday for more FREE coverage of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the offseason

Follow MavericksGameday on Twitter and Austin Veazey on Twitter

More Dallas Mavericks News


Published
Austin Veazey
AUSTIN VEAZEY

Austin Veazey joined NoleGameday as the Lead Basketball Writer in 2019, while contributing as a football writer, and started as editor for MavericksGameday in 2024. Veazey was a Florida State Men’s Basketball Manager from 2016-2019. Follow Austin on Twitter at @EasyVeazeyNG

Share on XFollow EasyVeazeyNG