Mavericks make major Cooper Flagg decision before opening night

The Dallas Mavericks will start rookie Cooper Flagg at point guard in their season opener against the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 22.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd announced the news after a practice session on Saturday, confirming that Flagg, who played small forward in college and high school, would start his NBA career in a new role.

"From Summer League to preseason, he has done a great job running the team and playing that position," Kidd said of Flagg, via Mavs reporter Kevin Gray Jr. "So, we're all comfortable with him doing it, so we'll see what happens on opening night."

Cooper Flagg thrown into the fire

As Kidd noted, Flagg started at PG during the Summer League and the final two preseason games. While Flagg didn't rack up the assists, he showed plenty of potential as a playmaker, setting up the likes of Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II for easy baskets.  

Flagg's new role stems from injury, but could turn into a long-term opportunity for the Duke alum. With Kyrie Irving, who tore his ACL last season, sidelined at least until January, Kidd threw Flagg into the fire in the preseason, citing his court vision and ability to run the floor. 

However, Kidd has stated that Flagg could continue in his role even after Irving's return. After the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Lakers, Kidd joked that Irving would be willing to play small forward when he returns, to avoid disrupting Flagg's progress as PG. 

D'Angelo Russell didn't make the cut

The decision to start Flagg at point guard seems to be a shift in direction for the Mavericks, who signed D'Angelo Russell this offseason to fill in for the injured Irving. However, it would appear that Russell didn't impress Kidd through the first two preseason games, which led to P.J. Washington taking his place in the starting unit and Flagg assuming the role of point guard. 

With Washington in the opening unit, the Mavericks will start a super-sized lineup also including Flagg, Davis, Lively and Klay Thompson. Dallas could start the new season as the only team in the NBA with all five starters standing at 6-foot-5 or more, giving it a distinct size advantage.