Jason Kidd's plan for Cooper Flagg isn't what Mavericks fans expect

Amidst more turmoil than most No. 1 picks have in their first NBA season, Cooper Flagg had a phenomenal rookie season for the Dallas Mavericks, supplanting himself as the potential Rookie of the Year. Flagg still has much to work on to get to true superstar status, though, but per his head coach, Jason Kidd, rest and relaxation need to be Flagg's first priority this summer.

Kidd actually said this ahead of Dallas' regular season finale versus the Chicago Bulls, which is ironic considering Flagg left the game early due to a left ankle sprain, and should've been resting a pointless contest in the first place. However, while Flagg's injury isn't expected to be serious, Kidd is 100 percent right in the fact that he needs to take some time off to start the summer.

Kidd vouches for Flagg to step away for a bit

Along with Flagg spraining his ankle in the last game of the season, he's carried a burdensome workload all season long and was tasked with playing out of position at point guard for a good portion of the year. He's given the Mavericks everything he's had from the second he was drafted, and while Flagg's workaholic mentality certainly won't abandon him, he definitely has some time to rest and enjoy leisure activities for a 19-year-old with Dallas missing the playoffs.

Flagg will be back in the lab before fans know it, as he was developing in real time throughout his rookie season, and areas for improvement, such as his ball handling and 3-point shooting, will undoubtedly be huge priorities on his offseason regimen ahead of his second season.

Flagg's break is crucial for his development

Flagg has no reason to be playing Summer League this year for the Mavericks either, as he more than proved himself on the NBA floor this season, so perhaps he can bond with some of his teammates on the sidelines in Las Vegas while watching Dallas' soon-to-be lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Fans often forget how young Flagg is, as he's this good while still being two years away from the U.S. legal drinking age, but he's got to take care of his mental health by enjoying himself as well. Flagg's been a consummate professional in Dallas and has worked relentlessly, but he's not a robot at the end of the day, and he needs to spend some quality time with friends and family before returning to the hardwood this summer.

An 82-game regular season is grueling for any player, especially for a rookie putting the organization on his back like Flagg did all season long. It wouldn't be surprising to see Flagg back in the lab late May or early June, but given his ankle sprain in the last game of the season as well as how much pressure he's had to deal with since being drafted in Dallas last June, he's definitely earned some time off until then.

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