Jason Kidd’s Cooper Flag PG experiment continues to draw backlash

As it is Dallas Mavericks navigating the early stages of the 2025-26 NBA season, head coach Jason Kidd’s decision to hire rookie Cooper Flagg at point guard continues to cause widespread debate in the basketball community. The experiment, which Kidd first hinted at during the offseason, now has drawn emphatic criticism from prominent analysts including Bill Simmons and Charles Barkley.

On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, the longtime NBA commentator expressed his frustration with Kidd’s decision to give Flegg the playmaking responsibilities usually reserved for veterans.

“I want to go on the record, really emphatically, this thing with Flag playing point guard is fucking stupid. Stop it, Jason Kidd,” Simmons said. “We know you got an extension. We know you got lucky in the lottery. We know you did this with Giannis in Milwaukee, but this is not the right way to bring a kid who’s not even 19 years old and doesn’t know what kind of basketball player he is yet, but obviously he’s special. You’re putting all these extra things on him that I think Currie came soon. back, never play point guard this again?”

Bill Simmons, Charles Barkley criticize Jason Kidd’s decision to use Cooper Flagg as an initiator

Simmons referred to Kidd’s previous experience developing ball forwards during his tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks, but questioned whether a similar approach fits the Mavericks’ current roster. The head coach emphasized that Flagg’s size, vision and defensive instincts make him an ideal candidate to handle the ball on rushes, especially as Kyrie Irving continues to recover from a torn ACL.

Charles Barkley echoed those sentiments Thursday night on Inside the NBA, criticizing the Mavericks for overcomplicating the situation.

“The Dallas Mavericks, trying to outplay everybody, they think they’re the smartest guy in the world and they realize it’s just basketball,” Barkley said. “They need a point guard. First of all, Cooper Flagg, he only has two carries. That tells me why he only has two carries, because they made him try to start the offense. Start D’Angelo Russell until Kyrie comes back.”

Barkley slams Mavericks for Flagg abuse

Barkley continued, arguing that Dallas is limiting the 19-year-old’s offensive rhythm.

“These guys always want to act like, let’s reinvent the wheel. Man, that’s basketball, you push it and then you attack in the half-court,” Barkley said. “I don’t know what they’re doing. They haven’t even put Cooper Flagg in a position to be successful.”

Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, posted a double-double in his debut but struggled with efficiency in The Mavericks lost to the San Antonio Spurs 125-92. He finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and a steal while shooting 4-for-13 from the field and posting a minus-29 plus/minus in 32 minutes.

Kidd defended the decision as part of Flagg’s development, insisting the rookie’s versatility could benefit the Mavericks long-term. However, with criticism mounting and an 0-1 start to the season, pressure is mounting on Dallas to adjust its offensive approach before Irving’s return.

The Mavericks will look to bounce back when they host the Washington Wizards (0-1) on Friday night at 8:30 PM ET on MNMT. The contest will mark their first chance to regain momentum and determine whether Kidd’s bold strategy can hold up under scrutiny.