The Mavericks are heading toward training camp with more questions than answers in the starting five, and the biggest ones sit outside the two names that already feel locked in. Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving look like the only safe bets right now, leaving new coach Dusty May with plenty to sort through before the season starts.
If Irving is at point guard and Flagg is on the wing, the rest of the lineup is still very much up for debate.
At shooting guard, Max Christie looks like the leading candidate to open the year in the first unit. He started 68 of the 77 games he played last season, put up 12.3 points per game, and knocked down 40.4% of his threes.
The fit is obvious from a spacing standpoint, even if the larger picture suggests he may be better used as a depth option. For now, though, his shooting could keep him in that spot.
Zaccharie Risacher is another name in the mix after coming over from the Atlanta Hawks. At 6-foot-8, he has size, but his game projects more naturally at shooting guard. He’s probably headed for a bench role, though it wouldn’t be a surprise if he gets a few starts along the way.
Then there’s Tarik Biberovic, the true wildcard of the group. He doesn’t look like a likely starter, but the Mavericks are intrigued by the shooting touch he showed in Europe.
The frontcourt is where things get even messier, because Dallas has a roster built with a lot of power forward options. P.J.
Washington appears to be the early favorite there. He’s been the starter at the four when healthy over the past few seasons, and that health piece has been the main concern.
Washington brings versatility on both ends, and the Mavericks are hoping his jumper becomes more reliable. His fit next to Flagg has drawn some questions, but that pairing works better if Washington is hitting shots.
Naji Marshall should be in the rotation behind Flagg most nights, though there will be games where he starts at power forward. The issue is his lack of a three-point shot, which makes him a clunky fit next to Flagg.
Santi Aldama, acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies, is the sleeper in this race. At 7-foot-0, he offers the cleanest offensive fit because of his shooting, and he can defend multiple spots. He isn’t quite as strong on the perimeter as Marshall or Washington, but his skill set gives him a real case for minutes and maybe more.
Morez Johnson Jr., the 9th overall pick, doesn’t have a clear path to a starting job right now, but he’s expected to be in the rotation somehow because of what he brings defensively. The question is his perimeter game, which still isn’t ready for him to be a full-time starting power forward in today’s NBA.
Center may come down to health more than anything else. Dereck Lively II is the most talented option on the roster, but he’s still working back from foot surgery in December that limited him to seven games last season, and there hasn’t been an update on where he stands.
If Lively isn’t ready, Daniel Gafford is the next man up. He’s been the steady spot-starter in recent years whenever Lively has missed time, and he’s the best defensive fit at the position. Aldama could also play center, especially in small-ball looks, even if Dallas would rather use him at power forward.
Morez Johnson Jr. and Moussa Cisse are part of the depth picture as well, giving the Mavericks more bodies to sort through once camp opens.
In Other News...
Former Mavs Coach Airs Brutal Jason Kidd Tension From Dallas Exit
Igor Kokoskovs time on the Mavericks bench has become part of a much messier story than anyone in Dallas probably expected when he was brought in for the 2021-22 season. The former assistant coach recently spoke publicly about his departure, and the comments painted a sharp contrast between the way he has described working with Jason Kidd and the next move he made after leaving the Mavericks.
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 🡒]
Max Christie Now Carries A Big Burden For The Mavericks
The Mavericks spent part of the last two seasons trying to make Klay Thompson a fit, but the partnership never delivered the kind of lift they hoped for. Dallas missed the playoffs in both years with Thompson on the roster, and his scoring settled at 12.9 points per game before the club moved on and turned to a younger look on the wing.
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 🡒]