The Dallas Mavericks enter the 2025-26 NBA season with one of the most intriguing rosters in the league. Their lineup is rich in size and length, featuring a formidable trio of centers: Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford. The forward position is equally impressive, boasting the No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, along with P.J. Washington and Caleb Martin.
### Mavericks Face Point Guard Challenges
Despite their depth in the frontcourt, the Mavericks are facing a notable deficit at the point guard position. Throughout the preseason, head coach Jason Kidd has experimented with lineups that include Cooper Flagg at point guard. However, it remains unclear whether this strategy will carry over into the regular season.
When asked about Flagg’s potential role as the starting point guard, Kidd kept his comments noncommittal:
“He’s got to keep an index of who got shots, what was the last shot, and that’ll come with reps. But I think he has done an incredible job of handling the situation of running the team.”
### Injuries and Interim Solutions
The Mavericks’ true floor general, Kyrie Irving, is still recovering from a torn ACL sustained late last season. To fill the void, Dallas brought in D’Angelo Russell to assume point guard duties. However, Russell’s 10-year NBA career has been marked by inconsistency, and he has not yet proven to be a reliable long-term solution for the Mavs.
In the first two preseason games, Kidd started Russell at point guard. But in game three, the lineup shifted dramatically, with Cooper Flagg orchestrating the offense alongside Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II. While this lineup showcased impressive length and versatility, the offense appeared stagnant.
### Struggles with No-Point Guard Lineup
The experiment with a no-point guard lineup hit a rough patch against the Los Angeles Lakers, as the Mavericks fell behind 22-10 halfway through the first quarter. Dallas struggled offensively, shooting just 20% from beyond the arc on 15 attempts in that game.
Given the offensive struggles, it remains uncertain if the Mavericks will continue to rely on Flagg at point guard once the regular season begins.
### Flagg’s Unique Skillset and Historical Comparison
Coach Kidd has reportedly drawn parallels between Cooper Flagg and another former Duke standout, Grant Hill. Hill, who shared the 1994-95 Rookie of the Year award with Kidd, was known for running the point for the Detroit Pistons despite being a 6-foot-8 forward.
“Kidd saw shades of another former Duke star in Flagg’s game: Grant Hill, who shared the Rookie of the Year award with Kidd in 1994-95, when the 6-foot-8 Hill ran the point a lot for the Detroit Pistons. Kidd saw the same phenomenal blend of feel and force in Flagg that Hill had coming out of Duke,” wrote MacMahon.
### Looking Ahead
As the Mavericks patiently await Irving’s return, developing playmaking ability remains a top priority. Flagg, despite some preseason struggles, holds promise to find his groove alongside Dallas’ star-studded roster.
Reflecting on his early performances, Flagg acknowledged areas for improvement:
“Just continuing to get comfortable. I made some mental lapses today, time and score situations. Got to know [and] be aware of what’s on the clock at all times. Just got to stay more attached [defensively]. Can’t let a hot player keep getting looks. So some of those things you can definitely clean up.”
With time and experience, Cooper Flagg could become a vital floor general for the Mavericks as they navigate the challenges of the upcoming season.
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