The Dallas Mavericks have emerged as one of the teams to look out for in the upcoming season. Although their season ended in disappointment after being eliminated from the Play-In tournament, the offseason boasted a lot of promise.
The 2025 NBA Draft, in particular, has effectively shifted the way other teams have perceived the Mavericks. By some unbelievable twist of fate, Dallas ended up with the first-overall pick and gained a golden opportunity to draft a franchise cornerstone.
With the No. 1 pick in the draft on Wednesday night, the Mavericks fulfilled this promise by drafting Duke star Cooper Flagg, setting off a new plan in motion for the franchise.
The selection of Flagg has been viewed favorably across multiple forums. Owing to his latent potential, his star power, and his overall skill, Dallas may have acquired a generational talent to lead their side to glory.
As a rookie, there is only so much the Duke forward can do to transform this team. But when considering the sheer experience and potential of this roster when healthy, the Mavericks may be viewed as the underdogs in the West.
With this in mind, we take a look at the Dallas Mavericks’ roster for the 2025-26 season, as currently constructed.
Depth Chart
PG: Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jaden Hardy
SG: Klay Thompson, Max Christie, Dante Exum
SF: Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin
PF: Anthony Davis, PJ Washington, Oliver-Maxence Prosper
C: Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, Dwight Powell
It is important to note that Spencer Dinwiddie and Dante Exum are unrestricted free agents heading into the offseason. Losing them would deplete the Mavericks’ overall backcourt strength.
Meanwhile, the team has an option on whether they wish to keep Dwight Powell or not. While the frontcourt appears to be fairly solid, having backup could still be of use to Dallas, given their history of injured players.
The Starting Rotation
PG – Kyrie Irving
SG – Klay Thompson
SF – Cooper Flagg
PF – Anthony Davis
C – Dereck Lively II
On paper, the Mavericks may have one of the most formidable starting lineups in the league. With an even balance of veteran experience and young talent, Dallas would enjoy the best of both worlds while featuring a dominant frontcourt.
The Mavs will feature Kyrie Irving in the starting point guard slot. Although the star will be sidelined till January, once he returns, the guard is expected to give the roster a massive boost.
Before his injury last season, Irving was notching an average of 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. While it is unlikely for him to produce at the same clip after coming back from injury, his creativity on the offensive end will be immense for the team.
In his absence, however, the Mavs will look to add reinforcements. In this regard, players such as D’Angelo Russell, Chris Paul, and Malcolm Brogdon have emerged as potential targets for the team.
In the shooting guard slot, Dallas will continue to feature Klay Thompson. Thompson certainly isn’t the player he used to be, given his drastic reduction in productivity. But his veteran experience and championship pedigree could be invaluable in aiding the development of the Mavericks’ newest star.
Cooper Flagg is likely to be the team’s starting small forward. His ability to handle the ball, his versatility on offense, and his athleticism make him the ideal fit for the role. Additionally, after factoring in his averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game from last season, it is evident that he is flexible enough to adapt to the system or become its focal point.
Paired with him in the frontcourt, the Mavericks are likely to feature the big man duo of Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II in their starting rotation. The presence of two defensive stalwarts provides the team with enough rim protection.
With additional considerations being made for Davis’ offensive output of 24.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, Dallas possesses enough scoring options in each position.
Barring injuries, the starting lineup is fundamentally sound. With a championship pedigree also in place, Flagg may find himself in the ideal environment to cultivate his talents.
As impressive as the Mavs’ potential starting lineup can be, their bench also appears to hold strong.
The point guard position is the only one where the team may be a little short-staffed. With Dinwiddie becoming an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, the team only has Jaden Hardy to take the starting spot in the absence of Irving.
The shooting guard position has more balance. Max Christie showed huge signs of growth as a two-way player last season, recording averages of 11.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. The Mavericks are likely to give the guard more minutes as he finds his footing in the new season.
In the small forward slot, Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin remain reliable options. Marshall was one of the team’s most vital players when the team hit a rough patch. His two-way ability has been critical in dictating game flow. Similarly, Martin’s effort on both ends of the floor makes for a valuable contribution as well.
Following Davis, the Mavericks are likely to give more playing time to PJ Washington, who has become a crucial part of the team’s rotation. Last season, Washington shone, averaging 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Washington’s rebounding and his ability to stretch the floor make him invaluable in Dallas’ schemes. Similarly, the return of Daniel Gafford will also be a massive boost to the team, completing their big man rotation.
The plan of action for the Mavs remains to add reinforcement, particularly in the backcourt. With several trade rumors driving traffic, Dallas would do well to ensure a healthy roster to start the season.