Answer to Mavericks' glaring starting lineup dilemma couldn't be clearer

With less than 48 hours away until the Dallas Mavericks begin the regular season against the San Antonio Spurs, fans still don't know what the team's starting lineup is going to look like.

Jason Kidd has been asked multiple times recently for intel about who he is going to start on Thursday night, and he is sticking to his guns and keeping his cards close to his chest. Kidd encouraged competition in practice all training camp long, and he has been putting the team through some intense practices ahead of the genesis of the regular season tomorrow.

Even though questions still remain about who Kidd is going to start at center, the answer to this question couldn't be more clear.

It's time for Lively II to become the Mavericks' starting center

Kidd has a great problem to have when it comes to who he is going to start at center between Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II, but it may finally be time for him to rip the Band-aid off and make his decision. He can't go wrong either way, but going with Lively II as the starting five seems like the smart move for now and the future. Kidd announced that Lively II will be the starter to begin the year during Media Day, but he hasn't confirmed that remains his plan.

Both Gaford and Lively II both started tons of games last season, but it's time for Kidd to make this tough decision and announce Lively II as the starting big. He likely won't do this until he absolutely has to, but he has proved that he deserves the starting center spot.

Lively II's improved post game was on full display during the preseason, and his hard work in that area over the summer definitely paid off. He was sinking push shots and hook shots with either hand during the preseason, and his touch around the bucket will make him even more dynamic in Dallas' offense.

Gafford too is gifted in the low post, and the extra muscle that he put on during the offseason is only going to help him be a stronger finisher down low. He and Lively II are both tough to stop around the rim, but Lively II's preseason jump may have given him the edge in that area.

Defensively, both Lively II and Gafford are gifted in their own ways, but Lively II's ability to switch on the perimeter may make him a lock for this starting five. He moves his feet well when forced to switch onto guards, and his growth in that area over the last year has been exponential. Gafford, on the other hand, is the stronger and the bigger-bodied player of the two, and he may fare better against low-post maestros who have immense strength.

Kidd has just over 24 hours to officially make this choice, and although both options are excellent and he can't go wrong either way, starting Lively II right out of the gates seems like the safe move. He has a higher ceiling than Gafford does, and him joining that starting unit will help his chemistry with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving grow even more.

Both players were excellent with Doncic and Irving in the pick-and-roll game last year, and their dynamism in this area helps make the Mavs' offense so difficult to stop. It's evident that both Gafford and Lively II are going to play big minutes, but Lively II's next step of becoming the Mavs' star center of the future should be joining the starting five.