Klay Thompson decision will quietly impact role Cooper Flagg plays as a rookie

With injuries creating a suboptimal roster structure, Klay Thompson's role in the rotation could result in the the Dallas Mavericks utilizing Cooper Flagg as a primary playmaker. It's an admittedly bizarre dilemma, but it's the reality Dallas is facing if it hopes to avoid other drastic changes.

With much of the starting lineup seemingly set in stone, the Mavericks are likely to land on giving Flagg a high-volume opportunity to prove he's ready for the moment.

It's safe to assume that Anthony Davis, Flagg, and one of Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, or P.J. Washington will be starters in 2025-26. The question then becomes a matter of how the final two spots in the starting lineup are filled.

With Kyrie Irving still recovering from a torn ACL, it's likely to come down to some combination of Max Christie, D'Angelo Russell, and Thompson.

It's certainly plausible that Dallas could go with Russell at point guard and either Christie or Thompson at the 2. There's a realistic possibility, however, that the position battle will come down to Russell and Thompson rather than Thompson or Christie.

If that proves to be the case and the Mavericks prioritize 3-and-D value over Russell's admittedly shaky reputation as a lead guard, then Flagg would instantly become the primary playmaker.

Mavericks could roll out lineup where Cooper Flagg is primary playmaker

The Mavericks have the potential to boast the best frontcourt in the NBA with a rotation of Davis, Flagg, Gafford, Lively, and Washington. The question facing Dallas, however, is how they can craft a backcourt that can function adequately on both ends of the floor.

A healthy Irving will answer many of those questions, but in the meantime, the Mavericks will need to value Christie's potential, Russell's defensive inconsistency, and Thompson's limitations at 35.

Christie is a career 37.0 percent three-point shooter who averaged 30.4 minutes per game with the Mavericks in 2024-25. Still just 22 years of age, there's much to be gained from getting him reps early in the season and thus preparing him for the postseason pressure that follows.

Russell, meanwhile, will revert to the role of a backup guard once Irving is healthy, making it fair to ask: Should he start in the interim for the sake of establishing a team identity?

Irving and Russell are by no means carbon copies, but their skill sets are relatively similar as crafty ball handlers who can attack off the bounce and shoot with electrifying ability. Russell has his limitations as a player, however, including a level of defensive inconsistency that could cap his playing time.

Thompson was a standard-setting 3-and-D player at his peak, but he may not be able to offset Russell's negative tendencies at 35 years of age—let alone after multiple major injuries.

As such, the Mavericks could opt to run their offense through Flagg and instead go with two 3-and-D guards in Christie and Thompson to complement him. Flagg is an excellent passer, and a more defensive-minded lineup could be what he needs to be able to instantly recover from his inevitable rookie-year mistakes.

Depending on who starts between Christie, Russell, and Thompson, Flagg could become the Mavericks' primary playmaker from the opening tip.