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Mavericks Stick With Rookie Cooper Flagg at Point as Kidd Floats 2025 Kyrie Irving Return

Dallas owns the league’s worst early offensive rating, which Jason Kidd frames as a short-term cost for long-term growth.

Overview

  • Jason Kidd said Flagg is handling lead-guard duties because of health issues and to build late-season poise, calling the early reps a “blessing.”
  • Dallas is 2-4 with the NBA’s lowest offensive rating in the opening weeks and ranks poorly in assist-to-turnover metrics despite a top-10 defense.
  • Kidd suggested Kyrie Irving could be back before year-end but offered no firm timetable, noting a potential late-December return would align with roughly nine months post-ACL surgery.
  • Anthony Davis is sidelined by a left calf strain for at least two games, prompting rotation tweaks including more Max Christie starts and continued bench usage for D’Angelo Russell.
  • Outside chatter has turned to playmaking help, with speculative proposals ranging from a Jose Alvarado deal to a Ja Morant swing, reflecting league-wide debate about adding a true point guard.