Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Cooper Flagg Debuts for Mavericks as Kidd Signals Point-Forward Usage

Dallas enters opening night light on proven guards due to Kyrie Irving’s ACL recovery, putting extra ballhandling responsibility on the 18-year-old.

Overview

  • The Mavericks face the Spurs on Wednesday in a nationally televised opener that pairs Flagg with Victor Wembanyama.
  • Jason Kidd described Flagg’s role as a point forward even if listed at point guard, after preseason reps that included 26 bring-ups tracked by ESPN.
  • Dallas closed preseason with a supersized starting group featuring Klay Thompson, Flagg, P.J. Washington, Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively, signaling a possible opening lineup.
  • With Irving out long term, D’Angelo Russell is the only fully proven healthy point guard, a shallow backcourt that observers warn opponents can target.
  • Former executive John Hollinger urged an in-season move to swap frontcourt depth for guards or wings, even as projections cast Flagg as a leading — possibly unanimous — Rookie of the Year candidate.