Mavericks' shocking Gafford move hints at starting lineup change no one wants

Since drafting Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks have made an expected move to help keep them company at the point guard spot with Kyrie Irving out with an ACL injury until some point in 2026.

The Mavericks signed veteran point guard D'Angelo Russell to help with the overall depth and potentially teach Flagg a thing or two about how to play point guard. Even though Jason Kidd has full faith in putting Flagg at the point guard, having a veteran guy to hold the fort down was the Mavs' plan all along. Now, with a huge contract extension being made to Daniel Gafford this offseason, this brings up a question as to what the Mavs should do about Dereck Lively II and his role in the rotation.

With Gafford agreeing to a three-year $54 million extension, this might mean to some that Lively II might be the odd man out in the starting five. With growing concern around Lively II's health history and how that might play a factor, it's not out of the realm for Gafford to start on opening night. However, Kidd has long experimented with alternating between Lively II and Gafford in that starting role. For Mavs fans, a move to insert Gafford into the starting lineup might have some scratching their heads.

This potential starting lineup change might not sit well in Dallas

This is a great problem for the Mavericks.

As Lively II was drafted in 2023, the plan was for the Mavs to fix their weakness at the big man position. When the Mavs made a mid-season trade to grab P.J. Washington and Gafford, it became apparent that the big man problem was solved. Now, with Gafford's deal becoming clear that he's here to stay, it looks like Lively II might be caught in a pickle.

Without Gafford's effort in 2024, the Mavericks probably would not have made the NBA Finals. His hustle on the glass is exactly the energy that Dallas was missing from years prior. He was also a staple in the pick and roll next to Luka Doncic and soon-to-be Flagg. His muscle tone is also scary on defense, as he has been one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA for the past five seasons.

Lively II has a great frame and he's another lethal force in the pick and roll like Gafford, but Lively II has had his share of injury issues. He's expected to be the next big thing in Dallas, but with Gafford here to stay, Lively II might play second fiddle. Fans are expecting him to grow his game even more, but he can't do that if he's simply not on the court.

Fans need to realize that while this shocking lineup could take place on opening night, this is a great problem for Dallas to have. This also fits into Nico Harrison's philosophy of defense winning championships. With a huge lineup including Washington, Lively II, Gafford, Anthony Davis, Flagg, and Dwight Powell, this shows that the Mavs have the depth down low that was missing during their 2021-22 playoff run.

Even if Gafford does end up starting, Lively II will almost certainly become the unofficial sixth man and energy guy that the Mavs need.