Mavericks' biggest Cooper Flagg problem has an obvious but underwhelming solution

My concern level for Cooper Flagg is nonexistent. We may have just watched the worst game of his career — and he still ended with a double-double. However, my concern level for how Cooper Flagg is used in Jason Kidd's system will tick up about 1 percent every game he's the starting point guard. The problem is obvious; Flagg is not a true point guard. The solution is obvious, too (albeit less exciting): D'Angelo Russell needs to start in place of either PJ Washington or Klay Thompson.

I understand the desire to keep a starting lineup versatile, but there's no reason to start four forwards (Flagg, Washington, Thompson, and Anthony Davis all started on Wednesday) without at least one guard present. The defensive versatility this group presents is appealing... but it doesn't compensate for a lack of playmaking. And tasking a rookie with being the sole playmaker in a starting lineup is a recipe for disaster, even with a rookie as impressive as Flagg.

Even the best college point guards — real, traditional point guards — need some time to acclimate to the NBA's pace. Asking Flagg to essentially change positions while also shouldering a considerable load as a scorer and lockdown defender seems a little unfair to a guy who has monstrous talent, but is still 18 years old.

I also know that starting D'Angelo Russell — who is a bit of a roller coaster himself — isn't a fix-all for the Mavs playmaking problems. But it's hard to overstate how important a serviceable NBA point guard is for an offense, and Russell can be that most nights. Make the change sooner rather than later.

On Wednesday, Washington played 29 minutes to Klay's 22. Are we sure that Klay needs to be in this starting lineup going forward? He might moan and groan a bit at the idea of coming off the bench, but I think it's pretty clearly the best move this team can make overall, and specifically for Flagg's development.

Cooper Flagg's growth might be stunted by confusing lineup choices

Flagg is good enough to produce in pretty much any scenario. But why not maximize the skills he already has instead of asking him to develop new ones in his debut season?

For instance, Flagg and PJ Washington, who are the de facto playmakers in this current starting lineup, combined for 1 assist on Wednesday. Small sample size, obviously, but that's not great. Russell (who had a rough game too) at least dished 3 assists in his 15 minutes of game time.

I am also not saying that Flagg should be relieved of all playmaking duties; his passing is one of his best traits, and his offensive creation ceiling is pretty dang high. He should have the ball in his hands — but even elite NBA wings are better when they're flanked by a real point guard. There's no shame in that at all, it's just Basketball 101. Point guards make things go.

Again, I'm not worried about Cooper Flagg. But I would feel a lot more comfortable if a real point guard was out there with him, and the Mavs have the personnel to make that happen.