Dallas Mavericks starting lineup, rotation with three players out of protocols

Dallas Mavericks second unit

Coach Rick Carlisle was planning on using a nine-man rotation against the Jazz. He does not have a wing that he trusts coming off the bench if Josh Richardson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Tim Hardaway Jr. are all in the starting five.

PG: Jalen Brunson

Brunson looks to have taken a step forward on the offensive end this season. His scoring and shooting percentages are up significantly in the early going. Brunson dropped 31 points filling in for Luka Doncic on Jan. 3 too. The defensive end is a massive question mark, though.

SG: Trey Burke

Burke is a bucket-getter and floor spacer for the Mavericks. He knocks down open shots and creates for himself off the dribble. His defense is a worry, though. Carlisle may try to avoid playing Burke and Brunson together because of the issues it creates on that end of the floor.

F: James Johnson

Johnson can play anywhere three through five. He has given the Mavericks a lift with his ability to handle the ball and make plays. The veteran has been a pleasant addition to the rotation this season.

C: Dwight Powell

Carlisle went to Willie Cauley-Stein first in this spot, but he was benched after three minutes. Powell got an opportunity in the second quarter and ran with it. He had three rebounds, one assist, and one block in 13 minutes of Wednesday night. Powell is still knocking the rust off. Expect both he and Cauley-Stein to get opportunities in this spot, but Carlisle figures to go with Powell on Friday in Utah.

Next: Changes with Kleber?