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"I want to make him uncomfortable" - Jason Kidd reveals his plans for Cooper Flagg
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- "I want to make him uncomfortable" - Jason Kidd reveals his plans for Cooper Flagg
"I want to make him uncomfortable" - Jason Kidd reveals his plans for Cooper Flagg originally appeared on Basketball Network .
After parting ways with Luka Doncic , an unexpected yet optimistic new chapter is unfolding for the Dallas Mavericks , with 'generational talent' Cooper Flagg now positioned as the franchise's young cornerstone. The 18-year-old Duke sensation has already drawn massive media attention for his elite versatility and ability to hold himself together against the NBA's current best.
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Now, the spotlight has shifted to whether he could consistently emerge as the best player against the best talent in the sport. But if there is one head coach who is sure about it, it's Jason Kidd . He recently expressed his interest in using Flagg, which the youngster hasn't operated before, as he looks to fill the Mavs' biggest void in the 2025-26 season.
Coach Jason Kidd wants to use Flagg as a point guard
During the 2024-25 season, Flagg did not operate as the Blue Devil's primary ball handler, mainly playing as a forward. Still, he led the team with 4.2 assists per game, showcasing how he could use his acumen to make plays for his team with time on the ball. Moreover, with Kyrie Irving entitled to miss a big chunk of the 2025-26 campaign due to an ACL injury, Kidd has already made it clear how he wants Flagg to fill in the point guard role and embrace his less-explored trait on the hardwood.
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Clearly, this experiment could have game-changing implications. Dallas already boasts the most intimidating frontlines in the league with PJ Washington , Anthony Davis , Daniel Gafford , and Daniel Gafford. Thus, if Flagg can become the focal point of the offense as a point guard, the Mavs could roll out a supersized starting lineup that will pose a nightmare for the opposition, daring them to attack the paint.
As a result, Kidd made it clear that he wants to fill the void of the Mavericks by testing Flagg in ways where he figures out a way to unleash his best in an unfamiliar position.
"I want to put him at point guard," Kidd told the media. " I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts being able to run the show. Being able to play the 2, play the 3, he's comfortable playing that. But we want to push, and 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, giving him the ball and he failed, but he wanted to come back and have the ball. I'm excited to give him the ball against the Lakers and see what happens."
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Flagg can play as the point guard
It's safe to say that playing Flagg at point guard not only expands Dallas' lineup flexibility but also accelerates the rookie's development as a leader and floor general. Given his already praised basketball IQ and competitive edge, if Flagg figures out how to thrive as a primary facilitator while also finding his way to score points and rebound the ball, this Mavericks team could be far more dangerous than anyone is ready for. And with Flagg's height advantage over most opposing guards, the matchup nightmares could be endless.
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As one could evidently spot, Kidd is giving Flagg the platform to prove his worth. So, if this experiment does work out, who knows, this teenage sensation can actually become a player that the NBA fans haven't witnessed in decades.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
