Kidd is already eyeing a key Cooper Flagg change Mavericks fans desperately crave

In just a few days, Cooper Flagg is going to become a member of the Dallas Mavericks after being selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. After one of the strangest seasons in franchise history, it seemed only fitting for Dallas to be awarded with arguably the best 18-year-old on the planet.

Flagg will have a day one assignment as soon as the regular season starts. With Kyrie Irving out probably until the beginning of the year, this gives Flagg a perfect opportunity to help lead the team in a way that the Mavericks desperately need. The Mavs need Flagg to handle the rock and play some point forward, at least until Irving gets back.

It won't take long for Flagg to get comfortable in the lineup. After all, the Mavs are expecting great things from him. Jason Kidd already has the tools to turn Flagg into an unstoppable monster.

Mavericks need to turn Flagg into a point forward with Irving out

Kidd has already been eyeing how he can bring the most out of Flagg early, as ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported that Kidd views Flagg as someone to play some point forward and be a facilitator.

"Cooper Flagg is really gonna have a chance, especially early in the season when Kyrie Irving's out, to play a point forward type of game," MacMahon said. "He's gonna have the ball in his hands a lot, and J-Kidd thinks he can facilitate."

Irving is one of the most gifted playmakers and ball handlers to ever play in the NBA. There's no replacing Irving at all, but Flagg is the next big thing in the NBA, and he's going to have a key assignment that can help the team while Irving is down.

The role of Klay Thompson becomes a question for their future, especially when Irving comes back. Kidd still has a lethal starting lineup that the entire NBA would fear. The lineup would consist of Irving, Flagg, P.J. Washington, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II. This would be a tall lineup filled with offense and defense that teams wouldn't be able to keep up with.

In today's NBA, it's easy to see Flagg bringing the ball up and handling the rock often. There are plenty of point forwards or even point centers like Nikola Jokic who can handle the ball and call plays. This is the key to Flagg to unlock himself into a star.

It seems like Flagg is going to be just fine taking more of an offensive load at first. His all-around assets that he brings to the table should help him to have a superstar NBA career. In today's NBA, where it's all about shooting from deep, Flagg is already mastering that. One source told The Smoking Cuban that Flagg was "unreal" in his workout with Dallas last week.

Flagg has been getting pro comparisons ahead of the draft, some more ridiculous than others, but him being compared to Grant Hill is probably as accurate as they come. Hill and Flagg have a similar build, along with similar skillsets that help them separate themselves from the average player. Flagg has something that all teams would love to have, the size and skill to play any position. Kidd has a gift on his hands, and Mavs fans can trust that he can put Flagg in the right position.