4 Mavericks who only have 26 games to prove they belong in the rotation

The NBA All-Star break is finally here, and the Dallas Mavericks are a team that needs some rest as badly as anyone. They have been the most banged-up team in the NBA so far this season, and the momentum-crushing blows continue to roll in as it was reported that Daniel Gafford will be out for at least the next six weeks with an MCL sprain.

This was the last thing that the Mavericks needed, as their center rotation was already worn down, and now the only healthy center on the roster is two-way signee Kylor Kelley. Dallas truly can't catch a break when it comes to injuries, and despite all of the adversity they've been battling, they have found a way to win games.

Dallas is 4-1 in their last five games, and their role players have been stepping up in a big way and carrying their weight on a nightly basis. Max Christie has quietly been the silver lining of the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade, as he is playing excellently on both ends of the floor over his first six games as a Maverick, and he has already become a fan favorite in just two weeks.

4 Mavs who are running out of time to prove they deserve a rotation spot

It looks like Christie is going to be a guaranteed key part of the rotation over the final stretch of the season even once everyone is healthy, and he could even become a starter if he can keep it up. His poise in big moments is what has Mavericks fans most excited, and he has all the tools to be an elite role player for years to come.

The same consistency from Christie hasn't been replicated from some of his teammates though, as the next 26 games will be their final chance to show they deserve a real spot in the rotation heading into the playoffs.

4. Brandon Williams

After being outplayed by Jazian Gortman in the preseason, Brandon Williams has been great in his role lately, and considering how thin Dallas is at guard right now, he could end up being in the backend of the playoff rotation if he can continue to score at a high level at all three levels.

Over the last two games, Williams is averaging 11.5 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 61.5 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from downtown. He has been able to effectively get to the rim with his quickness and finish well, and his 3-point jumper has also looked solid.

His confidence to let it fly from anywhere behind the arc off the dribble or off the catch is underrated, and he also has a smooth handle. Williams' potential role is limited considering how undersized he is, but if he can continue to play with efficiency in his minutes, he could end up winning Jason Kidd over and runnin.

3. Kessler Edwards

Back when the Mavs signed Kessler Edwards to a two-way deal over the summer, fans were ecstatic as he was undoubtedly expected to be one of the best players on a two-way contract in the NBA. While his season with Dallas started slow, he is now playing a major role due to all of the frontcourt injuries and he entered the All-Star break following his biggest game of the year.

On Thursday night, Edwards finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, and three assists while shooting 6-12 from the field and 3-4 from downtown, and he has become the team's starting center with Gafford out of the lineup.

If Edwards can become a consistent 3-point shooter and continue playing strong and physical defense, then he can undoubtedly have some sort of role down the stretch. Kidd highly bases players' performances on energy and effort, and neither one of those things is ever in question with Edwards.

2. Jaden Hardy

Jaden Hardy is in the middle of one of the roughest stretches of his career, and he had a golden opportunity to get back on track on Thursday night. Both Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson were out of the lineup, and Hardy was going to get big minutes regardless as they only had nine active players.

In 19 minutes of action, Hardy finished with two points while shooting 0-8 from the field and 0-4 from downtown. His confidence seems to be completely gone, and he may find himself completely out of the rotation if he can't string some solid performances together. He wasn't playing much to begin with, and his outstanding stretch from last month is a distant memory.

The Mavericks are a different team when he is locked in from downtown and can take care of the ball, and they'll likely feel much better about their guard rotation if he can be positive in his minutes once again. It's going to take a lot for him to earn the trust of the coaching staff back again, and they need some better performances out of him badly.

1. Olivier-Maxence Prosper

Olivier-Maxence Prosper is another beneficiary of Dallas' frontcourt injury problems, and he is playing big minutes every single night. In Thursday night's win over the Miami Heat, Prosper finished with 10 points, three rebounds, and one steal while shooting 5-9 from the field. Prosper's energy is always infectious, but his feel for the game and confidence are still works in progress.

He must get back to being willing to let it fly from deep when he gets open looks, and if he can turn into a reliable 3-point shooter, then the sky is the limit for him. Prosper is shooting 20.5 percent from three in 45 games this season, and lately, he looks uninterested in shooting these shots.

His aggressiveness and hustle are always going to be there, but he has to display more confidence and control to earn a playoff rotation spot. He is going to have plenty of time to get in a better rhythm due to all of the injuries, and him developing into a consistent role player would be massive for the Mavs.