With the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks selected Duke forward Cooper Flagg to the surprise of absolutely no one.
Flagg will officially make his debut on Thursday, July 10, when Dallas kicks off their Summer League schedule against the Los Angeles Lakers. But what position will he play?
The logical answer would be small forward, but Kidd has some other ideas.
“I don’t look at the position,” Kidd told reporters. “I want to put him at point guard. I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts. Be able to run the show. Be able to play (shooting guard). Play (small forward). He’s comfortable playing that. We want to push. I think he’s going to respond in a positive way.
“It’s all right to fail, it’s all right to turn the ball over. We’ve talked about that. Just understanding the guys that I’ve been around that have been young from Giannis (Antetokounmpo), giving him the ball and he failed, but he wanted to come back and have the ball.”
The 6-foot-9 Flagg is known for his versatility and was entrusted by Duke coach Jon Scheyer to bring the ball up the floor and set the team’s offense. He responded with 156 assists, leading the team last season.
“I’m excited to give him the ball against the Lakers and see what happens. Let’s get it started right off the bat,” Kidd said.
The decision to test Flagg at point guard has been signed off on by Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban, who says he texted Kidd, “point guard, point guard, point guard, let him bring the ball up.”
Whether or not Cooper Flagg fails at point guard remains to be seen, but Kidd, Cuban, and the Mavericks are committed to testing it out.
