Cooper Flagg reacts to potential role with the Dallas Mavericks amid Kyrie Irving’s absence

Following a disappointing 2024–25 campaign plagued by unforeseen setbacks, the Dallas Mavericks are now looking to the future with renewed optimism. The addition of Cooper Flagg as the first overall pick in the NBA Draft has sparked major excitement, though the team knows it will open next season facing a serious challenge: the absence of Kyrie Irving.

The 33-year-old point guard will be unavailable during the first few months of competition, as he continues the final stages of recovery from ACL surgery following a knee injury earlier this year. Kyrie’s absence leaves a tough hole to fill, but head coach Jason Kidd appears to have a plan in place.

Kidd’s idea to temporarily replace Irving seems to involve slotting Cooper Flagg in as the point guard, even though that’s not the position where the former Duke star typically played during his high school and college basketball years.

When asked about the possibility, Flagg expressed enthusiasm. “I’m looking forward to it,” he said Tuesday, according to reporter Mike Curtis on his official X account. “I think it’s something I can do at a high level so I’m excited to just experiment and do some new things.”

Cooper later spoke about how, even if the position isn’t his natural one, it’s part of his skill set thanks to experience gained during his season at Duke. “Coach (Jonathan) Scheyer trusted me a lot last year and I handled it a lot. I didn’t bring it up a ton, but in the halfcourt I handled it a lot and set up a lot of different actions,” Flagg explained.

Dallas’ options to replace Irving

It’s clear that by early 2026—when Kyrie Irving is expected to be fully recovered from knee surgery and ready to return to the court—he’ll resume his role as the creative engine of the Mavericks. But by that point, at least two full months of NBA action will have passed, during which the team will need reliable solutions.

The option of Cooper Flagg at guard appears to be one of the scenarios Jason Kidd is actively considering. But it’s not the only one. In addition to last year’s options at the position, such as Max Christie, Dante Exum, or even Klay Thompson, the head coach now has D’Angelo Russell in the mix for the next NBA season.

The former Los Angeles Lakers star arrived following a short stint with the Brooklyn Nets and will be a key addition to the roster, bringing talent and veteran experience to strengthen the team’s structure—especially during Irving’s absence. D-Lo will wear jersey No. 5.