Look, if you haven't checked the box scores in a few months, you might want to sit down. The Dallas Mavericks starting lineup looks absolutely nothing like the team that made that magical run to the Finals. Seriously. It’s a total 180. We’re talking about a franchise that basically hit the "reset" button in the most aggressive way possible, and honestly, it’s been a wild ride to watch.
Gone is the era of Luka Magic in Dallas. That still feels weird to say, doesn't it? After the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Lakers in early 2025—a move that literally cost GM Nico Harrison his job this past November—the Mavs have pivoted into a youth movement centered around a certain teenage phenom.
The New Reality of the Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup
Right now, if you head down to the American Airlines Center, you’re looking at a group that is high on potential but, let’s be real, struggling with the growing pains of a massive rebuild. As of January 2026, the rotation has been a bit of a revolving door due to a nasty injury bug, but the core vision is clear.
The current "standard" starting five, when healthy, usually looks something like this:
- PG: Ryan Nembhard (The rookie floor general)
- SG: Max Christie (The Lakers' trade piece finding his way)
- SF: Naji Marshall (The veteran glue guy)
- PF: Cooper Flagg (The #1 pick and new face of the franchise)
- C: Anthony Davis (The superstar vet in a strange new land)
Wait, Anthony Davis? Yeah, that’s not a typo. As part of the Dončić fallout, AD landed in Dallas. It’s sort of surreal seeing him in Mavs blue, especially since he’s currently sidelined with a hand injury. Without him, the middle has been a mix of Daniel Gafford and the ever-reliable Dwight Powell. Honestly, Powell might be the only person who survives every single era of Mavs basketball. He's like the team's North Star.
Why Cooper Flagg is the Story
Everything in the Dallas Mavericks starting lineup now revolves around Cooper Flagg. He's only 19. Think about that. Most 19-year-olds are worrying about midterms, and he’s out here trying to carry one of the NBA's most scrutinized franchises.
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He’s averaging about 19.1 points and 6.6 rebounds. Not bad for a kid who just finished his first semester of "NBA life." He has this defensive instinct that you just can't teach—averaging over a steal and a block per game. But he's also shooting around 30% from three, which shows he’s still very much a work in progress. Against the Bulls recently, he went 4-of-13. It wasn't pretty. But that’s the deal with a rookie-led lineup; you take the highlight dunks with the "what was that?" turnovers.
The Kyrie Factor and the Injury Crisis
Where is Kyrie Irving in all this? That’s the $36 million question. Kyrie is still on the roster, but he’s been in and out with knee issues. When he’s on the floor, he’s still Kyrie—the handles are there, the wizardry is there. But at 33, his body isn't always cooperating with the Mavs' new fast-paced, 101.7-pace offense.
The injury report lately has been a disaster zone:
- Anthony Davis (Hand - OUT)
- Kyrie Irving (Knee - OUT)
- Dereck Lively II (Foot - OUT)
- P.J. Washington (Ankle - OUT)
When you lose those four, your starting lineup suddenly features Jaden Hardy and Max Christie playing heavy minutes. Christie has been an interesting addition. He’s putting up about 10 points a night and playing decent perimeter defense, but he isn't a primary creator. That’s left a lot of the playmaking duties to Ryan Nembhard, the rookie out of Gonzaga. Nembhard is small—only 5'11"—but he’s got heart. He dropped 16 points and 6 assists against Chicago, though his plus-minus was a rough -15.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Roster
Most fans think the Mavs are just "bad" now. It’s easy to look at a 14-25 record and check out. But if you look deeper at the Dallas Mavericks starting lineup data, there’s a weird silver lining.
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Despite the losing record, their defensive rating is actually 8th in the league. Think about that for a second. Even with the injuries, Jason Kidd has this team playing hard on the defensive end. They’re 28th in offensive rating, which is where the Luka-sized hole is most obvious. They simply don't have enough guys who can create their own shot when the shot clock is winding down.
The Klay Thompson Situation
Klay is 35 now. He was supposed to be the veteran sharpshooter that spaced the floor for the young guys. Instead, he’s often coming off the bench or playing limited minutes as a starter. He’s averaging about 11.3 points on much lower efficiency than we’re used to seeing from him. It’s sort of heartbreaking to see, but it’s the reality of the NBA's aging curve. He still provides gravity, but the "Game 6 Klay" days are mostly in the rearview mirror.
Strategic Next Steps for the Mavs
The trade deadline is lurking, and the interim front office (Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi) has some massive decisions to make. Here is how they should handle the current starting group:
Embrace the Flagg-Lively Pairing
Once Dereck Lively II is back from his foot injury, he needs to be the permanent starter at center alongside Flagg. The "Twin Towers" potential there is insane. You have two elite rim protectors who can both move their feet on the perimeter. That is the future of the Mavs' defense.
Decide on the Veterans
If the season continues to slide, keeping Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving doesn't make much sense for a team that's 12th in the West. Trading AD back to a contender (or elsewhere) could net the Mavs another three first-round picks to build around Flagg. It sounds cold, but that's the business.
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Develop Jaden Hardy's Playmaking
Hardy has the scoring punch, but his 50.8% shooting in the paint is a red flag. If he's going to stay in the Dallas Mavericks starting lineup long-term, he has to become more than just a "3-and-maybe-D" guy. He needs to learn how to facilitate for others, especially for Flagg.
The Dallas Mavericks are in a painful transition, moving from the "Luka Era" to the "Flagg Era." It’s messy, the record is ugly, and the starting lineup changes every time someone sneezes and tweaks a hamstring. But the defensive identity is forming, and for the first time in a decade, the Mavs are building something from the ground up rather than just trying to plug holes around a superstar.
Watch the next few games against Denver and Utah. Keep an eye on how Nembhard handles the pressure and whether Flagg can find his shooting rhythm. The wins might not come yet, but the blueprint is finally visible.
Actionable Insights for Mavs Fans:
- Monitor the Injury Report: Check the status of Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving 30 minutes before tip-off, as the starting lineup is currently "fluid" according to Jason Kidd.
- Focus on Defensive Rotations: Instead of watching the score, watch how Cooper Flagg and Naji Marshall switch on screens; this is where the Mavs are actually winning.
- Draft Watch: With a 14-25 record, start looking at the 2026 draft class. Another top-5 pick next to Flagg could turn this rebuild into a contender by 2028.