What is the Dallas Mavericks' Starting Lineup?
The Mavs' starting five is currently in flux because Irving will be out until at least January 2026. Therefore, the starting lineup will look a little different.
Point Guard: Cooper Flagg
The top pick in the NBA Draft will be ready to play. After demonstrating what he could do at Duke University, Flagg will be in the starting lineup from the onset, and will benefit from playing with veteran stars who could move the basketball with ease while also utilizing his skills.
Shooting Guard: Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson seems to be the only player who has avoided the serious injury bug. He is also one of the best shooters of all time. While he is not quite the same player he was during his "Splash Brothers" days with Stephen Curry, Thompson is still dangerous and can make any shot from beyond the arc. Expect him to be a major factor down the stretch.
Small Forward: PJ Washington
PJ Washington is back, and will continue to play a critical role in the starting lineup. With Flagg moving to the point, Washington is inserted into the lineup.
Power Forward Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis will look to have a strong season as he begins it with relatively few injury concerns. Of course, the story for Davis has always been his inability to consistently play a full season. Davis will look to have a great season, and attempt to lead the Mavericks while Irving is out.
Center: Dereck Lively II
Dereck Lively II mans the middle and will have all the responsibility of ensuring the Mavs win the board battle. With Davis by his side, Lively has a chance to form a strong big man front for the Mavericks.
Who is on the Dallas Mavericks’ Bench?
Because of the injury to Irving, the Mavs may need their bench a lot more this season. Currently, Brandon Williams and Max Christie are the top options off the bench. Naji Marshall and PJ Washington will also be around.
Who Is the Mavericks’ 6th Man?
At this point, Max Christie assumes the role, along with Brandon Williams. Both will have pressure on them to play heavy minutes with Irving out. Once Irving returns, D'Angelo Russell likely shifts into the sixth-man role.
Point Guard: D'Angelo Russell
D'Angelo Russell is the newest signing in town, and will be occupying the starting role on the Mavs until Irving returns. Last season, Russell averaged 12.9 points while shooting just 36.7% for the Brooklyn Nets after they acquired him in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavs will need more from him, and he currently is coming off the bench.
Get to Know the Dallas Mavericks Front Office
Mark Cuban sold his shares, and it seemed as if he had no control over the decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Nico Harrison assumed that responsibility, and he currently leads the charge in Dallas management.
| Position | Staff Member |
| General Manager | Nico Harrison |
| Head Coach | Jason Kidd |
| Associate Head Coach | Frank Vogel |
Who Is the Mavericks' Head Coach?
Kidd is a Hall of Fame player turned coach. Prior to leading the Mavs, he also coached the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks and was an assistant coach on the 2020 Los Angeles Lakers team that won the NBA championship. He racked up 17,529 points and 11,801 assists over a 20-year playing career.
Who Is the Mavericks’ General Manager?
Nico Harrison is the Mavs' GM. Harrison is a former Nike executive who spent 19 years at the company and grew close to several NBA players before he moved into a front-office role with the Mavs in 2021.
Dallas Mavericks FAQs
Patrick Dumont is the controlling owner of the Dallas Mavericks. He assumed control of the Mavericks in November 2023, when he bought most of Mark Cuban's shares. Cuban had previously owned the Mavericks since 2000 and remains involved on a limited basis.
Dirk Nowitzki, Alex English, Jason Kidd, and Steve Nash are Hall of Famers who spent large portions of their careers (Nowitzki never played for anyone else) with the Mavericks. Currently, Irving, Davis, and now Cooper Flagg have a chance to make their mark.
The Mavericks' current starting lineup will feature D'Angelo Russell, Klay Thompson, Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II. When he returns, Kyrie Irving will likely slot into the starting lineup, giving Jason Kidd a plethora of lineup options.
With the season underway, there is no leading scorer. Anthony Davis is expected to hold the fort down and be the leading scorer while Kyrie Irving is out, while rookie Cooper Flagg could also emerge as a top scorer in this starting lineup.
The Mavericks signed D'Angelo Russell to give themselves depth while they await the return of Kyrie Irving. Russell will slot into the starting lineup while Irving is out, and could become a big-time player down the stretch if the team stays healthy.
Author
Robert B. Hayek has been writing about sports for over a decade and is currently a member of the Gambling.com Group team. In his spare time, he runs the largest sports meetup group in Orange County, CA, actively participating in every sport imaginable. He is also a published author of five thriller novels, all available on Amazon.
