Mavericks just found a death lineup to unlock Cooper Flagg even more

The Dallas Mavericks have been toying with a small-ball lineup that places P.J. Washington at center lately, and this is exactly what Dallas needed as they enter the Cooper Flagg era next season. This isn't something they'll be able to utilize very often, especially if they keep Daniel Gafford, but it has definitely helped unlock Flagg even more in recent games.

These types of death lineups are crucial at the end of games when floor spacing and versatility are key, and Mavericks fans got a taste of how dangerous their offense can be with Washington at center recently. He has started at center in the last two games, and while it's led to mixed results, the signs are there that it can be a successful lineup.

Jason Kidd's new starting lineup is unlocking Cooper Flagg

Flagg's game is heavily dependent on getting to the rim and finishing around the bucket, but his opportunities to do this are naturally less frequent while playing with a true center such as Gafford or Dereck Lively II. Dallas' main bigs naturally clog up the paint due to the nature of their offensive games, making it harder for Flagg to get downhill as rim protectors are always waiting for him in the paint.

Dallas' star rookie has still found a way to turn into one of the best young finishers in the NBA, and playing within lineups that include Washington at the five helps bring out this skill even more. Washington's floor spacing opens up the floor for everyone, but especially Flagg.

The Mavericks' lack of spacing has made Flagg's rookie year harder than it needs to be, and this finally feels like it's trending in the right direction.

P.J. Washington's new role opens up the floor for Flagg

Washington has hit nine threes over the three games he's started at the five, and this ties the most threes he's hit in a three-game span all season. He said that getting open shots has been easier for him at center, and his 50-percent shooting from three over these three games proves exactly that.

There were initially major concerns about how Flagg would fit with Washington due to their overlapping skills and positions. While they haven't been a picture-perfect fit when they share the court for most of the year, the games that Washington played center were the closest they've come to that fit. It was some of the best basketball that the Washington-Flagg duo has played all season, and the court was not cramped for Flagg to operate inside the arc.

Opposing defenders are forced to guard Washington on the perimeter due to his 3-point shot, giving Flagg a much more open driving lane to the basket. If defenders help off the Mavericks' shooters, then Flagg can pick them apart with his passing. He put up 10 assists in Washington's first game starting at center last week, and followed it up with eight and five assists in the next two games.

Flagg hasn't put up fewer than five assists in a game since February 10, and his playmaking has been one of the biggest areas of growth recently.

Will Dallas even have the chance to play small-ball when it matters?

Now, heading into next season, Dallas has a decision to make.

Their roster is already imbalanced, and they need to put the best possible team around Flagg to begin contending for titles. The Mavericks don't fully control any of their own first-round picks after this season until 2031, and they have to find a way to build a more balanced roster.

This could include trading someone like Daniel Gafford, as he has been in trade rumors for the past two seasons, and a move like this would give Washington much more time to spend at center if Dallas wants to lean into playing small-ball more. The Mavericks would be left with Lively II as their starting big, and Washington could play spot minutes at the five to help match up with different opponents.

Washington's future of spending real time at the center spot will all depend on the moves the Mavericks make over the offseason, and the final 12 games are the perfect time for Jason Kidd to experiment with lineups ahead of a pivotal 2026-27 season.