Honestly, looking at the Dallas Mavericks depth chart right now is like staring at a jigsaw puzzle where half the pieces were swapped out for a totally different set. The Luka Dončić era in Dallas feels like a lifetime ago, even though the trade that sent him to the Lakers only happened about a year back.
If you haven't been keeping up, the 2025-26 season has been... well, it’s been a lot.
Dallas is currently sitting 12th in the West with a 15-25 record. That sounds bleak. But the roster is actually fascinatingly talented; it’s just that everyone is currently in the training room instead of on the court. Between the arrival of Cooper Flagg—yes, the Mavs actually landed the #1 pick—and the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade, the hierarchy in Dallas is a moving target.
The Dallas Mavericks depth chart: Who’s actually playing?
Right now, the Mavs are basically the "Texas Legends Plus." Injuries have absolutely gutted the top of the rotation. As of mid-January 2026, here is how the starting five and the bench units are actually shaking out in reality, not just on paper.
The Point Guards
With Kyrie Irving out indefinitely following knee surgery and Dante Exum still rehabbing his right knee, the lead guard duties have fallen to the young guns. Brandon Williams has surprisingly emerged as the primary starter. He’s putting up about 12 points and 4 assists, which isn't superstar level, but he's steady.
Behind him, you've got Ryan Nembhard (on a two-way deal) and D’Angelo Russell. D-Lo is a weird case. He signed this past summer to provide veteran scoring, but he’s been battling illness lately, leaving a massive void in the playmaking department.
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The Wings (SG/SF)
This is where the Mavericks are the most "crowded," if you can call it that. Naji Marshall has basically become the iron man of this team. He’s starting at small forward and leading the team in field goal percentage.
- Max Christie: Traded from the Lakers in the AD deal, he’s been a bright spot. He's shooting 44% from deep. He recently moved into the starting lineup for Jaden Hardy.
- Klay Thompson: The legend is mostly coming off the bench or playing a hybrid forward role these days. He's still a threat, but at 35, the Mavs are managing his minutes carefully.
- Jaden Hardy: He's the spark plug. One night he'll drop 25, the next he's 2-for-11. He's been starting on and off depending on the health of the rest of the backcourt.
The Frontcourt (PF/C)
This is the "Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis" show, except neither of them is playing right now. Anthony Davis is out with a finger sprain, and Cooper Flagg is nursing a left ankle sprain.
Because of those absences, the Dallas Mavericks depth chart at the 4 and 5 spots looks like this:
- P.J. Washington (When available—he's currently out for personal reasons).
- Dwight Powell (The man who will seemingly play for the Mavs until the year 2040).
- Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Signed to a 10-day hardship deal on January 15th).
- Moussa Cissé (A two-way big providing some much-needed rim protection).
Why the Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg pairing matters
People thought the Mavs were crazy for trading Luka. But when they won the lottery and drafted Cooper Flagg, the vision became clear. They wanted to pair the best defensive prospect in a generation (Flagg) with a premier defensive anchor (Davis).
In the limited games they’ve played together, it’s been terrifying for opponents. Flagg is averaging 18.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists as a rookie. He’s a "point-forward" in the truest sense. When he's healthy, the Mavs' offense flows through him, not a traditional point guard.
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The problem is the "when healthy" part. Anthony Davis is 32 now. He’s still elite—averaging a double-double with ease—but the Mavs are discovering that building around two guys with extensive injury histories is a high-wire act without a net.
The "Hardship" reality of January 2026
The Mavs recently had to bring in Jeremiah Robinson-Earl on a 10-day contract just to have enough bodies to play the Utah Jazz. It’s that bad. On January 17th, the injury report was a CVS receipt:
- Kyrie Irving (Out)
- Anthony Davis (Out)
- Cooper Flagg (Out)
- Daniel Gafford (Out)
- Dereck Lively II (Out)
Basically, if you are over 6'10" and play for Dallas, you're probably wearing a walking boot right now. This has forced Jason Kidd to run small-ball lineups with Caleb Martin playing power forward and Naji Marshall defending centers. It’s chaotic. It’s also why their record is sub-.500.
Looking at the rotation depth
If everyone were healthy tomorrow—which, let's be real, is a fantasy—the rotation would actually be one of the deepest in the league.
| Position | Starter | Primary Backup | Deep Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Kyrie Irving | D'Angelo Russell | Brandon Williams |
| SG | Max Christie | Jaden Hardy | Miles Kelly |
| SF | Klay Thompson | Naji Marshall | Caleb Martin |
| PF | Cooper Flagg | P.J. Washington | J. Robinson-Earl |
| C | Anthony Davis | Daniel Gafford | Dereck Lively II |
That is a playoff-caliber roster. Maybe even a title contender. The issue is that Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II—two guys who were supposed to be the "Twin Towers" backup plan—are both sidelined. Lively is recovering from right foot surgery, and Gafford has a persistent ankle issue.
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Real talk: The Jaden Hardy vs. Max Christie debate
There is a bit of a rift in the Mavs' fanbase right now regarding the starting shooting guard spot. Jaden Hardy is a homegrown talent. He’s explosive. He’s a "Mavs guy."
But Max Christie is arguably the better fit next to Cooper Flagg. Christie doesn't need the ball. He defends at a higher level than Hardy and provides better spacing. Recently, Jason Kidd moved Hardy back to the bench, and honestly, it makes sense. Hardy is a natural "microwave" scorer who can carry the second unit while Flagg and AD rest.
Actionable insights for Mavs fans
If you're tracking this team for fantasy or just following the season, keep an eye on these specific factors over the next few weeks:
- The 10-Day Contract Cycle: Watch Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. If he keeps putting up 12 and 7 like he did against Utah, the Mavs will likely have to clear a roster spot to keep him long-term.
- Trade Deadline Pressure: There are rumors that Anthony Davis's market is quiet because of the hand injury, but don't be surprised if the Mavs look to flip a wing like Caleb Martin or even P.J. Washington for more durable frontcourt depth.
- The Flagg Return: The Mavs are being ultra-conservative with Cooper Flagg’s ankle. Do not expect him back until he is 110%. The goal isn't the 10th seed this year; it's the next five years.
- G-League Call-ups: With the two-way guys like Moussa Cissé and Miles Kelly getting meaningful NBA minutes, their development in the G-League "Texas Legends" system is actually more important than the record in Dallas right now.
The Dallas Mavericks depth chart is a mess of injuries right now, but the talent is undeniably there. Once Flagg and Davis return to the court together, that 15-25 record could turn around very quickly. For now, it's the Brandon Williams and Naji Marshall show, and we're all just along for the ride.