The biggest surprise in Dallas isn’t that Kyrie Irving is coming back. It is that his return will make Cooper Flagg a better defender than he was all last season. Most fans think Flagg needs more offense to shine. The truth is the opposite. He needs to stop running the whole show.
Irving tore his ACL in his left knee back in March 2025 and missed the entire 2025-26 campaign. Now he is playing pickup games to get ready for a 2026-27 return, according to RotoBaller NBA. This timing changes everything for the young star. Irving brings the ball up the floor and creates shots like few others in history. That simple act frees up Flagg to do what he does best.
The Heavy Lift Ends
Last season, Flagg carried a massive burden on his back. His usage rate hit 26.9 percent, which ranked 21st across the entire NBA. He was asked to be a point guard, but he does not profile as one yet. The workload was too much for a rookie.
Flagg spoke openly about how hard the conditioning was. The volume of ball-handling required from him under Jason Kidd was unavoidable. The human body can only push so hard before it breaks. Flagg wasn’t an elite defender last season, and his heavy offensive workload likely played a role. He was still above average, but he could not do it all. He just ran out of energy to be great on both ends.
Blocks and Steals Are Coming
With Irving back, Flagg can delegate that energy to the defensive side of the ball. This change will result in more athletic blocks and steals. These plays create fast-break chances for the team. Flagg is one of the best shot creators in the game, but he will let Irving handle the heavy lifting. Dallas plans to utilize Flagg primarily as a finisher rather than the main creator in their offensive options.
There were plenty of moments where Flagg’s weak-side shot blocking helped the Mavericks last year. He just needs the freedom to look for those plays more often. Few shot creators in the history of the game rival Irving’s skill level. His return takes the pressure off Flagg’s shoulders completely. The rookie will not have to run the offense as much. He can save his legs for the other end.
At the NBA level, Flagg’s defensive playmaking lacked the impact seen during his high school and college years. But that was due to the offensive load, not his skill. Now that the load is lighter, his natural instincts can take over. The Mavericks will see a player who can guard the best wings and still score when needed. This is the path to a true two-way monster. The pieces are finally in place for Flagg to explode.
