Kyrie Irving’s return gives Cooper Flagg a chance to score without having to create the opening himself on every possession. Dallas’s early training-camp comments point toward an offense in which both players handle the ball, while Flagg gets more opportunities to run, finish and attack a defense already moving.

Irving said at the Mavericks’ September 25 media day that he had no physical restrictions following his left ACL tear. He and Flagg have worked together over the summer, but their NBA partnership remains untested: Irving has not played an NBA game since March 3, 2025. The Associated Press reported the update and their preparations.

Flagg can keep creating while sharing the work

After Saturday’s first practice, Irving connected his ability to play with or without the ball to the experience Flagg gained handling it last season. Coach Dusty May said the pair had made progress playing together and expected healthier personnel to help Flagg get better shots, according to Grant Afseth’s first-practice report.

With Irving initiating, Flagg can receive the ball after the first defender has been beaten or help has shifted. With Flagg initiating, Irving can remain a shooting threat away from the ball. Dallas can preserve Flagg’s development as a decision-maker while reducing the number of possessions that require him to create an opening against a set defense.

Those are potential benefits of the pairing. The available practice reporting does not establish a finished system, a permanent division of possessions or a set closing lineup.

Easier baskets include getting to the rim sooner

On Sunday, May identified transition running and offensive rebounding as ways to increase Flagg’s finishes near the basket. He also pointed to better spacing and opportunities to attack out of timeouts. Afseth’s second-day report, syndicated by Yardbarker, details those plans.

Running ahead gives Flagg a chance to finish before a half-court defense is organized. An offensive rebound can create a close-range opportunity without another sequence of dribbles and passes. Those routes could improve his scoring opportunities even before any improvement in his jump shot.

The surrounding players still affect how much room he finds. May noted that if Santi Aldama plays center, opponents might assign their center to somebody else. A shooting big man does not automatically pull the opposing rim protector outside. Dallas also needs the player that defender guards to make the matchup costly.

Irving can force the defense to move, but the teammates receiving the next pass must keep that advantage alive. How much his return helps Flagg will also depend on who fills the other three lineup spots.

Flagg’s shooting makes the partnership work both ways

Flagg shot 29.5% from three as a rookie, following 38.5% in his season at Duke. At media day, he acknowledged the longer NBA line and faster game but emphasized his own hesitation: he had passed up shots he normally should take. His offseason work included preparation, confidence and mechanics. Afseth’s report on Flagg’s shooting details that work, which does not guarantee improvement.

Irving can help create an open shot. Flagg still has to recognize it, take it and make enough of those shots to hold his defender’s attention. If he hesitates, the defense gets time to recover toward Irving or the paint.