The Mavericks orchestrated a massive eight-player trade with the Washington Wizards on Wednesday to send Anthony Davis to the nation’s capital in exchange for a package highlighted by Khris Middleton and five draft picks.
Dallas also parted ways with point guards Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum in the deal, while acquiring Marvin Bagley III, Malaki Branham and AJ Johnson.
Here’s what the depth chart and starting lineup look like after the trade, knowing the Mavericks might not be finished making moves before the NBA’s 2 p.m. Thursday deadline.
Point guard
Mavericks
Kyrie Irving, Brandon Williams, Ryan Nembhard*
When healthy, the Mavericks will utilize Irving as the starting point guard but the 9-time All-Star remains without a timeline to return from ACL surgery.
In the interim, Williams and Nembhard share the backup point guard responsibilities since Jason Kidd has returned to a jumbo starting lineup without a traditional point guard.
Shooting guard
Max Christie, Klay Thompson, Malaki Branham, AJ Johnson, Miles Kelly*
Christie highlights the group of two-guards as the best shooter on the Mavericks, but Thompson provides a similar perimeter threat off the bench. Branham and Johnson will have to compete for playing time against each another and Kelly, the team’s two-way 3-point shooter.
Small forward
Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin, Khris Middleton
This position is highlighted by Flagg, who has assumed the title of the face of the franchise. He shares ball-handling responsibilities in the starting lineup with Marshall. Martin is a two-way presence off the bench who will compete for playing time with Middleton.
Related
Power forward
P.J. Washington, Marvin Bagley III
The Mavericks are now thin at power forward with the loss of Davis, but the trade allows Washington to return to the position he’s played for the majority of his time in Dallas. Bagley could be a reserve, but he primarily plays the five.
Center
Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, Dwight Powell, Moussa Cisse*
The Mavericks have plenty of bigs on paper, but Gafford, Powell and Cisse are the only ones healthy at this juncture of the season. Gafford will continue to share the primary center role with Lively, who is expected to make a full recovery from foot surgery at the beginning of next season.
*Players on two-way contracts can be listed as active for only 50 games per season. As of Feb. 4, Nembhard has been active for 43 games, Cisse 41 and Kelly 17.
Potential starting lineup
Cooper Flagg
Max Christie
Naji Marshall
P.J. Washington (in concussion protocol)
Daniel Gafford
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