Cooper Flagg Says He's Reaping 'Benefits' of Jason Kidd Playing Him at PG Amid Criticism of Mavs HC

Dallas Mavericks standout rookie Cooper Flagg discussed his usage as the team's point guard early in the 2025-26 season.

"It was kind of crazy," Flagg said in an interview with Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki. "I mean, I definitely doubted it a little bit. Wasn't as confident going at point guard. J-Kidd wanted to stick me out there and kind of throw me into the fire and right now I'm kind of reaping some of those benefits."

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd previously fired back at criticism surrounding his decision to use Flagg, who started at forward in college with Duke, as Dallas' point guard to open this season.

"I've done this," Kidd told reporters Sunday. "I've played this game. I've played it at a very high level. I know what the f--k I'm doing."

"I don't give a f--k what you guys write, because you guys have never played the game," he added. "So I build players, so I know what the f--k I'm doing. Taking criticism, it only makes me better, because if I wasn't doing it right, you guys wouldn't be poking holes in what I've done."

Flagg started at point guard for the first seven games of the year. Over that span, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft averaged 13.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 turnovers per game while shooting 38.8 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from behind the arc.

While Flagg wasn't able to make a consistent impact at point guard, it's clear to see that his early experience operating as Dallas' lead ball-handler has helped him since.

In 40 games after moving back to the frontcourt, Flagg has recorded 21.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.2 turnovers per game on 49.8/29.6/78.2 shooting splits.

The Mavericks only sit at No. 12 in the Western Conference standings with a 19-32 record, but Flagg has already established himself as a key building block moving forward.