Mavericks light fuse on all-out starting lineup war that begins now

As expected, the Dallas Mavericks made it clear that the starting lineup is nowhere close to being confirmed ahead of the 2025-26 season, which begins in just over three weeks, and training camp and the preseason are going to be an absolute war when it comes to players fighting for their spots.

During Media Day on Monday, Jason Kidd confirmed that there are some players whose starting spots are already guaranteed, but others are going to have to be earned throughout training camp and their four preseason games. It can be assumed that Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis' starting spots are guaranteed, but outside of those two players, it seems like Kidd wants everyone to earn their minutes and roles.

Fans always go back and forth about who will be the starting center between Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, and while it seems probable that it will be Lively II, Gafford could end up snagging this spot, too. Gafford has had multiple dominant stints as the Mavs' starter, including on their run to the 2024 NBA Finals, and Kidd could elect to roll with him depending on how he performs in the preseason and how he fits next to the rest of the starting lineup.

Jason Kidd isn't ready to set the starting five in stone yet

The Lively II-Gafford conversations always happen at this time of the year, but one player who Mavs fans thought was a guaranteed starter but may not be is D'Angelo Russell. There may be a battle for the starting point guard position beginning today in Vancouver, and this could end up being one of the biggest storylines at training camp.

Dallas signed Russell for his ability to run the show without Kyrie Irving while also being able to play alongside him once he returned, but his new teammate, Irving, made it seem like there is truly going to be some competition to secure the reins of the offense at the beginning of the regular season.

It may not be Russell's job just yet.

Irving was asked about how he thinks Russell will do when "hold(ing) down the point guard position" while he's out, and his answer was definitely insightful ahead of training camp.

"I think DLo will be fine, alongside all our other point guards," Irving said. "Guys in here, be patient with him. We have guys competing for spots, which is a great thing in our competitive space, but also it makes things challenging to make decisions as a coach, and we have some talented point guards who are going to put their best foot forward, and I'm looking forward to camp. All of these guys pushing each other, and whoever comes out of that as the starting point guard, will."

Irving is likely just trying to be safe here without putting any expectations on Russell, but there is a world where Brandon Williams could beat him out for the starting point guard spot.

Williams became a fan favorite in Dallas at the end of last season when he averaged 16.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 54.1 percent from the field in March, and he could end up taking a major jump next season and potentially even end up as the starting point guard on opening night.

This seems improbable, as Russell has immense experience and came to the Mavericks despite having more lucrative contract offers elsewhere, but it's definitely still a possibility.

There may also be a battle between P.J. Washington and Klay Thompson for a starting spot on the wing, as the Mavs will have to choose between Washington's versatility and Thompson's shooting. Both players are great options, regardless of who Kidd chooses, and Kidd and Irving's Media Day sessions prepared Mavericks fans for an entertaining first few weeks of October.