The Mavericks did a lot this offseason to reshape the edges of the roster - more wing depth, better shooting, a younger group to work with. But one problem still hangs over the backcourt: perimeter defense. And that’s exactly where Caleb Martin could sneak into the rotation.
At 30 and entering his eighth NBA season, Martin arrives with a clear opening in Dallas. If the Mavericks had already solved their point-of-attack issues, this might not even be a conversation. Instead, there’s room for a defender who can take on the kind of assignment this team has struggled to handle.
That said, Martin’s first season and a half in Dallas hasn’t been smooth. He has hit just 32.9 percent from 3 as a Maverick, and his confidence has dipped along the way.
Injuries have also slowed him down, keeping him from building the kind of momentum needed to lock down a steady role. For a player still carrying two more years on his contract, that’s not an ideal setup.
There have been flashes. Martin shot 48.3 percent from 3 in January and February last season.
But the rest of his offensive game has swung enough that Jason Kidd never really had a reason to fully trust him. With the Mavericks’ offense already struggling, Martin wasn’t the kind of fix that changed the equation.
What has stayed consistent is his defense.
Even with the offensive inconsistency, Martin has been excellent on that end. His physicality, length, versatility and lateral quickness allow him to bother some of the league’s best guards and wings. Dallas is going to need that next season, especially in a backcourt that still lacks proven stoppers.
The shooting guard spot, in particular, is a concern. Martin, John Poulakidas, Max Christie, Sergio De Larrea, Naji Marshall and Marcus Sasser are all expected to spend time there, but outside of Christie and Marshall, the Mavericks don’t have many options they can really trust against All-Star-level guards.
Last season, that weakness showed up in a big way. Dallas got torched by star guards, with Jamal Murray, Stephon Castle, Darius Garland, James Harden and Anthony Edwards each putting up 40-plus points against them. That’s the kind of damage the Mavericks need to stop, especially with Kyrie Irving back from the ACL tear that cost him all of last season.
Irving will handle point guard duties, and with his defense not exactly his calling card - plus the reality of coming off a serious injury - Dallas needs a partner in the backcourt who can absorb the toughest defensive assignment.
Among the guards and wings in the mix, Martin is the best fit for that job. He can defend one through four, he doesn’t shy away from physical matchups, and he leans into the role of being a stopper. That mentality matters, and it’s the exact kind of edge Dallas wants as the Dusty May era gets going.
Training camp and preseason should give a clearer picture of where Martin stands. If Dusty May wants the perimeter defense to move in the right direction, Martin has a real shot to play. He may not be a starter, but when the Mavericks need a stop - or when an opposing star is cooking - he should be in the conversation.
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Kokoskov also pointed to the awkward dynamics around his earlier relationship with Luka Doncic, saying it complicated things during his stint in Dallas. Afterward, he said Steve Nash called him to join Brooklyn, a change that only underscored how differently those professional relationships played out. For the Mavericks, it is another reminder that the post-Doncic-support staff era in Dallas has not always been as tidy as the on-court product might suggest. [Read more 🡒]
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Max Christie stepped into the starting lineup last season and gave the Mavericks a more encouraging return, pairing a career-best scoring average with the kind of shooting and finishing that can fit alongside Dallas core. For a team still searching for stability on the perimeter, Christie is no longer just a promising piece. He is now carrying real expectations for what the Mavericks need next. [Read more 🡒]
Kyrie Irving Could Force An Early Mavericks Decision
As the new season gets closer, the Mavericks are still weighing how Kyrie Irving fits into their longer-term plans, and the conversation around their roster has started to turn toward whether they will keep him in place or eventually pivot. The idea has gained traction because Dallas is looking at every angle before opening night, and Irvings status sits near the center of that review.
San Antonio has surfaced in the speculation because the Spurs could use a veteran point guard, but nothing has been confirmed by either side. For Dallas, the bigger issue may be timing, since the front office appears ready to let the first stretch of the season help shape the decision it makes next. [Read more 🡒]