The Mavericks may already have a point guard of the future, and it’s not Cooper Flagg

Substitution Luka Dončić‘s production as a point guard was a challenge for Dallas Mavericks since shocking trade in February. Kyrie Irving suffered a season-ending injury shortly after Doncic was traded, and is not expected to return until early 2026. Mavs later selected Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft — a future NBA superstar who isn’t a point guard. Still, Dallas tried to play Flag early in the 2025-26 campaign, but the experiment didn’t go as planned. With Irving in his mid-30s and his long-term future in Dallas uncertain, and Flegg best suited to play off the ball, Brandon Williams could be the team’s point guard of the future.

Williams, 25, played his college ball at Arizona. He went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft and ended up spending time in the G League after the draft. In 2023, Williams signed a two-way contract with the Mavs. He continued to improve since arriving in Dallas and eventually signed a multi-year deal in 2025.

In recent action, Williams has started games at the point with Flagg on the 3-pointer and D’Angelo Russell coming off the bench. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd — who of course was a Hall of Fame point guard during his NBA career — he told reporters recently that Williams runs the offense well.

Is Williams simply filling a void as Dallas looks to solve its point guard conundrum, or is he establishing himself as a legitimate candidate to become the Mavs’ point guard of the future?

Brandon Williams of the Mavericks continues to impress

Williams has always had intriguing goalscoring potential. His finishing at the basket only improved during his time in the NBA, while Williams continued to develop his mid-range and three-point shooting. So far in the 2025-26 season, Williams is also making strides as a point guard.

He recently dished out nine assists in a 123-114 loss to the Phoenix Suns. Williams added 17 points. Despite turning the ball over four times, the guard showed impressive strength as a player capable of running the offense. Upheavals will happen with the guard adjusting to a new role as a starter, but Williams’ command of the offense and decision-making will prove to be key moving forward.

Rumors have swirled about Irving, but he will likely take over the position once he returns from injury assuming he isn’t moved before the trade deadline. From a long-term standpoint, however, Williams has an opportunity to cement himself as a true point guard of the future right now.