Flagg Praises Mavericks Coach Dusty May

Cooper Flagg has lauded new Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May after the team replaced Jason Kidd.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Basketball

The Dallas Mavericks replaced Jason Kidd with Dusty May as head coach, and former No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg has praised the longtime college coach. The Mavericks started the season 4-3, with Flagg appearing in six of seven games.

Why it matters

Flagg's endorsement of May comes as the young star works to build on a strong start and adapt to a new coaching system. The change signals a shift in how Dallas plans to develop and deploy its core player.

Flagg is shooting 48.6 percent from the field, 23.3 percent from three and 88.9 percent from the free-throw line while averaging 33 minutes per game. Last season Jason Kidd used him at point guard for a handful of games, but the stub does not indicate how often May will do the same.

The players

Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg is a former No. 1 overall draft pick who has become one of the Dallas Mavericks' central players.

Dusty May

Dusty May is a longtime college basketball coach who was hired as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.

Jason Kidd

Jason Kidd is a Hall of Fame point guard whose tenure as Dallas Mavericks head coach ended with his replacement by Dusty May.

The details

Dusty May watched a significant amount of film from last season to learn Flagg's game and has placed him in positions on the court where he can be successful. Flagg has spoken positively about the new coach's approach as Dallas works through its early schedule.

Last season, Jason Kidd played Flagg at point guard for a handful of games.
November 4, 2026: Flagg's praise of May was reported.

Season Trajectory

Flagg's early numbers place him on pace for his first career All-Star selection, which would extend his rise as a top young player. The coaching change from Kidd to May marks a departure from last season's experiment of using Flagg at point guard, shifting the team's approach to his development.

Fantasy managers tracking Flagg should note his 6.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game, which add value beyond scoring. The team's 4-3 start and May's position-based plan will determine how often Flagg handles primary ball-handling duties going forward.

The takeaway

Flagg's rapid production under a new coach shows how role clarity can accelerate a young player's development. Fans and fantasy managers should watch whether May's system keeps him in positions that suit his skill set.