Dallas Mavericks: Panning out the 2023-24 starting lineup

It’s been two weeks since the NBA draft, and the Dallas Mavericks continue formatting their roster. On draft night, the team traded veteran Davis Bertans and their 10th pick to Oklahoma City for the draft rights of Dereck Lively. A couple moves later Dallas moved their trade exception to the Sacramento Kings for big man Richaun Holmes and the 24th overall selection (which turned into forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper). 

Fast forward ahead and the Dallas Mavericks made five more moves post-draft. At the end of June the team signed Kyrie Irving to a three year $126 million dollar contract, and brought back Seth Curry to a two year deal. A day later the Mavs resigned Dwight Powell and brought in former NBA veteran Dante Exum. This what just the layering of the cake.

The big icing was when Dallas traded Reggie Bullock to the San Antonio Spurs in a three team trade that brought in defender Grant Williams.

So with so many new additions added to the team, it is no question Dallas will have a brand starting lineup.

Here is a possibility of what that might look like:

Dallas Mavericks Starting Backcourt:

It is a no brainer that the Dallas Mavericks starting backcourt will consist of Luka Doncic and Irving. Combined both players went 5-11 last season, as they dealt with injuries and chemistry issues.

On a positive note, both players accounted for a majority of the team’s points. With Irving in the lineup, Doncic averaged 30.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 7.1 assists. Irving on the other hand dropped in 26.5 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.2 rebounds.

The hope is that both player can coexist together to form a top duo in the league. Go back to the last game together on April 5th. Both players combined for 60 points on 50 percent shooting.

As for the small forward position, it is up in the air. Honestly, Tim Hardaway Jr. would be a great candidate for the job. However, the chances of him staying are somewhat slim. The toss up for the job would be between Josh Green and Jaden Hardy.

Last season Green averaged 11.8 points in 21 games as a starter, whereas Hardy averaged 21.2 points in the starting lineup. Green could more than likely gets the nod here, as he has improved his game and can play both solids of the ball. Hardy has a great future ahead of him, and Dallas will continue to let him develop.

Dallas Mavericks Starting Frontcourt:

Now, this is where things start to get a little tricky.  The power forward position is set, but the center position is where things get interesting.

One player that will be added to the starting frontcourt is Boston newcomer Grant Williams. Williams has the intangibles to move between small forward and power forward. This is somewhat of a similar role that Bullock played with the team.

Last season, Williams  averaged 8.1 points while shooting 45.4 percent overall. From long-range he shot 39.5 percent. One of his biggest assets is his defensive ability to guard both guards and forwards. Pairing him next to Doncic and Irving will give the team an extra shooter and defender that can play both ends of the ball.

As for the center position, the Dallas Mavericks have a variety of options. Option one is use the centers they have now which range from Holmes, Powell, JaVale McGee and Lively. Option two is trade for a center like Ivan Zubac, Jarrett Allen or Deandre Ayton/Clint Capela.

Right now, it seems as though Holmes is the top option to start at five. He is a different player from Powell and a good rebounder who can help Dallas protect. I’m sticking with him to start, unless the team pulls off a trade for a reliable center.

With Nico Harrison making moves and the Summer League in full effect, Dallas Mavericks fans are in for a wild ride these next couple of months.

• Published on 07/07/2023 at 12:16 PM
• Last updated at 07/07/2023 at 12:16 PM