Mavericks HC Jason Kidd Reveals Plan to Protect Cooper Flagg

Kidd says team wants Flagg to focus more on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers to preserve his health.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 1:07am

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Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has shared the team's plan to better protect 19-year-old star Cooper Flagg and get the most out of him. Kidd noted that they want Flagg to shoot more catch-and-shoot 3-pointers rather than creating so much off the dribble, in order to expend less energy and absorb less contact. The priority is preserving Flagg's health, and the team expects to have players around him who can share the physical load as well as a playmaker who can create advantages for him.

Why it matters

Flagg has emerged as a key player for the Mavericks, but his aggressive style of play has led to him taking a lot of hits. The team is focused on finding ways to maximize his talents while also protecting him from injury, which is crucial for the franchise's long-term success.

The details

Kidd said the team wants Flagg to focus more on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, rather than creating shots off the dribble. The goal is for him to expend less energy and absorb less contact. Kidd acknowledged that Flagg "gets hit a lot" due to his aggressive style of play, and the team plans to have players around him who can share the physical load, as well as a playmaker who can create advantages for him. The coaching staff and franchise are also expected to make an effort to secure more protection for Flagg from the referees.

  • The Mavericks' plan for Flagg is in place for the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season.

The players

Jason Kidd

The head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, who is outlining the team's plan to protect and maximize the talents of young star Cooper Flagg.

Cooper Flagg

A 19-year-old rising star for the Dallas Mavericks, known for his aggressive style of play that has led to him taking a lot of hits.

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What they’re saying

“He feels comfortable shooting it off the dribble. We would like for him to get a little bit better at catch-and-shoot. Less energy spent, less banging.”

— Jason Kidd, Head Coach, Dallas Mavericks

“Because he plays hard, because he attacks, he gets hit a lot, so that's one of the areas that we want to make sure that he gets better at.”

— Jason Kidd, Head Coach, Dallas Mavericks

What’s next

The Mavericks will implement their plan for Flagg during the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season, with the goal of preserving his health and maximizing his talents.

The takeaway

The Mavericks are taking a proactive approach to protecting their young star Cooper Flagg, recognizing the need to manage his aggressive style of play in order to keep him healthy and productive for the long term. This reflects the team's commitment to building a sustainable contender around Flagg's unique talents.