The Dallas Mavericks were staring down a grim future after being bounced in the Play-In Tournament and trading away franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis. With Kyrie Irving recovering from a torn ACL and limited cap flexibility, the Mavericks’ outlook for 2025-26 seemed uncertain.
That all changed when they defied the odds and landed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. With that pick comes the opportunity to draft Duke phenom Cooper Flagg, a transformational talent and the kind of player that can alter the course of a franchise.
Head coach Jason Kidd has wasted no time envisioning how Flagg fits into his system, and his recent comments on the DLLS Mavs Podcast have fans and analysts buzzing. Kidd hinted at deploying Flagg in a freakishly versatile lineup that could make life miserable for opposing offenses.
The proposed lineup? Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II, a monstrous blend of size, switchability, and defensive upside.
Kidd specifically floated the idea of playing the 6’10” Flagg at shooting guard in certain sets. While unconventional, it underlines Flagg’s unique skill set: elite court vision, high basketball IQ, and the length and agility to guard multiple positions.
His freshman season at Duke showcased his versatility, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals. He’s been compared to a hybrid of Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Paul George. And now, Kidd is ready to give him the keys to unlock chaos.
Slotting Flagg in the backcourt with Irving allows the Mavericks to trot out a super-sized lineup without sacrificing playmaking. Washington remains at the three where he thrives, while Davis and Lively II patrol the paint.
The defensive potential of this unit is terrifying, they could switch one through five, shrink the floor, and dominate the boards. Opposing guards would struggle to create separation with Flagg’s length in their face, and big men would have to contend with two elite shot blockers in Davis and Lively.
While there are questions, particularly around three-point shooting and floor spacing, this lineup isn’t built to trade buckets. It’s built to smother teams, slow the game down, and let elite two-way talent take over. It also allows Kidd to preserve Washington’s role amid rumors he could be traded due to overlapping skills with Flagg.
Flagg’s presence will also accelerate the Mavericks' long-term development. Kidd acknowledged that playing him at the two will help speed up his growth as a secondary ball handler and initiator. It’s a gamble worth taking for a player being touted as a generational talent.
With Davis healthy, Flagg ready to make his mark, and Irving set to return in 2026, the Mavericks may have found their next great core. If this lineup hits its ceiling, Jason Kidd may have just built the NBA’s next defensive juggernaut.
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