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Dallas Mavericks players (from left) forward Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, Kyrie Irving, Max Christie and Dwight Powell celebrate on the bench during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Dickies Arena on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
Smiley N. Pool\/Staff Photographer<\/p>\n
Dallas Mavericks<\/a> coach Dusty May<\/a> might be new to the NBA, but he\u2019s fully aware of the conversation that takes place when practice footage is released to the public.<\/p>\n Since the start of training camp, fans have carefully observed the color of each player\u2019s jersey in the team\u2019s teaser clips of practice. Darker colors are traditionally reserved for those in the starting lineup, while reserves usually wear white or lighter colors. The combinations may vary depending on the coach, drill and situation, but it\u2019s common for fans to speculate who belongs to the first unit.<\/p>\n May advises those looking for a peek into his game plan to tread lightly, because he hasn\u2019t decided on a starting lineup.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, I\u2019m on social media and I\u2019ve seen the [chatter] about first team and second team,\u201d May said after Wednesday\u2019s practice. \u201cWe haven\u2019t really settled into that now. We\u2019re more or less looking at two-and-three-man lineup combinations. \u2026 So anyone that has any speculation on the first five and the second five, please let me know, \u2019cause I have no idea.\u201d<\/p>\n With all due respect to May, let’s indulge in a little speculation, or at least outline what we know.\u00a0<\/p>\n The head coach said the lineup will be fluid throughout the season, especially to account for back-to-back games and managing injuries.<\/p>\n Two starters are guarantees: Cooper Flagg<\/a> and Kyrie Irving<\/a>. Flagg started all 70 games as a rookie last season, and Irving has started all 779 games in his last 15 seasons.<\/p>\n Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) and guard Kyrie Irving, right, sit on the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo\/Scott Marshall)<\/p>\n Scott Marshall\/AP<\/p>\n Several of the team\u2019s big men have been limited through the first half of training camp, including\u00a0Santi Aldama<\/a>, Morez Johnson Jr.<\/a> and Dereck Lively II<\/a>, who remains without a definitive timeline to return from right foot surgery. Aldama is recovering from a procedure<\/a> and injection in his right knee that preceded his trade to Dallas. Johnson has lower leg soreness<\/a> but appears close to a return.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n All three could be candidates to start, but Daniel Gafford<\/a> has the best chance to reclaim his starting role at center while the frontcourt regains strength. He averaged 9.5 points and 6.9 rebounds with 1.3 blocks in 55 games last season. The Mavericks also have Moussa Cisse<\/a> and Dwight Powell<\/a> as emergency options.<\/p>\n Shooting guard could be the most intriguing training camp battle. Max Christie<\/a> started 68 of his 77 games last season and averaged career highs in points (12.3) while shooting 40.4 from beyond the arc, his best year of high volume 3-point shooting. The Mavericks also acquired former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher<\/a>, who has promising potential as a two-way wing. He averaged 9.3 points and 3.8 rebounds last season.<\/p>\n With Irving back in the fold at point guard,\u00a0Flagg will presumably start at his natural position of small forward, leaving the power forward spot up for grabs.\u00a0P.J. Washington<\/a> has been the Mavericks\u2019 primary power forward since he was acquired in 2024, but his two-way versatility gives May\u2019s coaching staff the option to use him in a multitude of ways. Washington has started in 137 out of 142 career games for his hometown Mavericks, but he says that status isn\u2019t his priority.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) dunks the ball past Los Angeles Lakers forward Maxi Kleber (14) and forward Jake LaRavia (12) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at American Airlines Center on Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n Smiley N. Pool\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n \u201cMy biggest thing is winning, whether I\u2019m starting or not,\u201d Washington said after Thursday\u2019s practice. \u201cI\u2019ve been on so many losing teams. I\u2019ve been to the playoffs one time in my career, so for me, I just want to turn that around and get to the playoffs and just win. \u2026 I feel like if I\u2019m starting or not, I can make an impact on the floor whenever I\u2019m out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n May said Washington is \u201ccertainly in the mix\u201d for a starting spot, mostly because of his positional versatility. He could also consider\u00a0Naji Marshall<\/a>, Aldama and Johnson, once they\u2019re healthy. Candidly, May called the discourse of starters and reserves \u201cirrelevant.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPersonally, if I could play five more minutes and not hear my name called, I\u2019d rather play those five extra minutes,\u201d May said. “Or if I could finish a game versus having my name called in the starting lineup, I\u2019d rather finish a game as well. Hopefully we have the mind-set of, \u2018Whatever the team needs.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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