Dallas reporter reveals Duke Blue Devils basketball star Cooper Flagg’s projected role with Mavs

Duke Blue Devils basketball star Cooper Flagg won’t be the centerpiece of the Dallas Mavericks’ offense during the 2025-26 NBA season. He will play a prominent role in Jason Kidd’s lineup, though.

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon revealed Flagg’s role will be in the starting five, but won’t be as the No. 1 option with Anthony Davis in the lineup and Kyrie Irving likely to return from a torn ACL at some point before the postseason.

“Flagg is projected to be an instant starter, but he won't be expected to carry the team as a rookie surrounded by accomplished veterans, most prominently former No. 1 pick and 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, who was the headliner in the return package for Luka Doncic,” MacMahon wrote.

“The biggest factor in the Mavs' playoff positioning, or lack thereof, could be the impact made by another former No. 1 pick and future Hall of Famer. When will Kyrie Irving return from his torn left ACL? If it's this season, can he return to All-Star form for a team that needs his offensive creation?”

The Athletic’s Law Murray believes Flagg’s role won’t be so downplayed in the offense during his rookie year.

Murray called for Flagg to take on a play-making role in Irving’s absence, not unlike the role Giannis Antetokounmpo played under Kidd on the Milwaukee Bucks, considering his fill-in D’Angelo Russell’s recent struggles as a ball-handler.

“Jason Kidd, when he got to go to Milwaukee and get the Bucks job, he put the ball in Giannis’ hands and accelerated his [potential]. They’re gonna have to [do the same to Cooper Flagg], because you can’t ask D’Angelo Russell [to be primary ball handler]. D’Angelo was legitimately awful last year,” Murray said.

It’s unclear how much the offensive game plan will revolve around Flagg.

Clearly, it will in some way, shape, or form.