Dallas Mavericks starting lineup: Locks, fringe, and potential break-ins

Dallas Mavericks starting lineup: Locks, fringe, and potential break-ins

The Dallas Mavericks upgraded their roster this offseason. They traded for Josh Richardson and James Johnson. The Mavs also selected three talented players in the draft before signing Wesley Iwundu. The goal is to build a title contender around Luka Doncic, and the fastest way is improving their defense.

Dallas enters training camp with 16 guaranteed contracts. They have to trim their roster to 15 before the start of the regular season creating a battle for the final spot.

That is not the only thing on the line during training camp. Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle needs to sort out their starting lineup too. That will be difficult, though.

Who is part of the Dallas Mavericks starting lineup?

Mavs star Kristaps Porzingis is still recovering from knee surgery. The team has ruled him out until January meaning Dallas will be missing a key starter at the beginning of the regular season. The Mavericks will need to replace him in the starting five, and determine who will start best next to him in the frontcourt when the Unicorn returns to action.

The second part may be the hardest to answer. KP primarily played the four in New York, but his numbers improved dramatically after moving to center last season. An injury to Dwight Powell necessitated that switch, though. With Powell back, does Porzingis return to his forward spot or continue playing the five?

Let us examine the Dallas Mavericks starting five by taking a look at the locks, fringe options, and potential break-ins for the 2020-2021 season.

Next: Locks