Grading every Dallas Mavericks player after rollercoaster first month of season

The Dallas Mavericks are set to face off against the New York Knicks tonight at home, as this will be former Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson's second time returning to the American Airlines Center since leaving Dallas for New York in the summer of 2022.

This game will be a high-stakes matchup just because of Brunson's history with Dallas, but it will also be a solid test for the Mavericks against an opponent with a similar record as them, as the Knicks come into this game at 10-7.

Based on some of the Knicks' rim protection woes this season with Mitchell Robinson out of the lineup due to injury, Dallas has the opportunity to establish themselves in the paint and on the offensive glass in this contest, though they'll be without superstar Luka Doncic for a fourth consecutive game.

Grading every player on the Dallas Mavericks through 18 games

The Mavericks will also be without the services of Daniel Gafford in this game as he is suffering from an illness that seems to have spread throughout some of Dallas' roster. Klay Thompson will miss a second game in a row too, as he's also listed as out because of left foot plantar fascia.

Needless to say, Dallas has dealt with some adversity through these first 18 games of the season in terms of injuries and illnesses, but they've mitigated through all of it to get back in the playoff picture with a 10-8 record. With the Mavericks only being two or three games away from reaching the one-fourth mark of the 2024-25 regular season, there's no better time to dish out grades for every player on Dallas' roster.

1. Luka Doncic

Doncic has been inefficient by his own standards to start the season, but the Slovenian superstar is still averaging 28.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game through 14 games this season. Doncic is undoubtedly the best player on this Mavericks team when he's fully locked in and is a complete offensive player, but he's been settling for 3-pointers far too often based on his inefficiency shooting them this season, and he's had some albatross performances on the defensive end for the Mavericks early on as well.

Grade: B-

2. Kyrie Irving

Despite being in his 14th NBA season, Kyrie Irving continues to defy father time, as the veteran superstar is averaging 24.6 points and 5.4 assists per game on 51.2/47.7/87.5 shooting splits. Irving has been solid on the defensive end just like he was last season for the Mavericks as well, as he continues to at least serve as a net neutral on the defensive end at the bare minimum despite his size and age. Irving has only missed one game so far this season and has carried the Mavericks through some tough stretches, and he's arguably been better than even Doncic this season.

Grade: A+

3. P.J. Washington

P.J. Washington is proving to be a double-double machine in his second season with the Mavericks, as the 6-foot-7 wing is averaging 11.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Washington has been wildly versatile on the defensive end as well, oftentimes guarding the best opposing wing or guard on the other team, as he's averaging 1.2 blocks and 1.5 steals per game as well. Washington's biggest limitation on reaching his potential continues to be his 3-point shooting so far this season, as he's shooting a career-low 26.7 percent from beyond the arc through 13 games.

Grade: A-

4. Klay Thompson

Needless to say, Klay Thompson hasn't reached his full potential in this Mavericks offense quite yet. The veteran sniper has had some electrifying performances from downtown for Dallas so far, but he's yet to have established himself on offense by scoring at either of the first two levels consistently. Questions haven't been raised about Thompson's defense though, as the 34-year-old has held his own on the perimeter despite age and former injuries. Overall, Thompson's process has looked solid, but he simply needs to provide more volume and efficiency on offense for Dallas.

Grade: C+

5. Dereck Lively II

Dereck Lively II has dealt with some hiccups in terms of minor injuries and playing at different spots in the rotation this season, but overall his production hasn't tapered in his second season in Dallas. Lively II has shown increased touch around the rim this season and has been a great rim protector and rebounder as well. However, Lively II still has yet to take the rumored massive leap in year two.

Grade: B+

6. Daniel Gafford

Daniel Gafford has been a monster on both ends for the Dallas Mavericks this season whether coming off the bench or starting. In only 21.1 minutes per game, Gafford is averaging 12.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. Gafford has been a ferocious finisher all season long, and he's expanded his offensive game a little to include more post-ups and push-shots this season. Gafford is easily one of the best backup centers in the league currently.

Grade: A+

7. Quentin Grimes

After some struggles throughout the first juncture of the season, Quentin Grimes is coming around as a dynamic role player for the Mavericks. Grimes has recently been far more versatile on offense and has shot the ball better from outside, and his defense at the point-of-attack has followed suit as well. The stats may not show it quite yet, but Grimes is progressing with each going game in Dallas.

Grade: B+

8. Jaden Hardy

Similar to Grimes, Jaden Hardy had a rough start from a shooting perspective during the beginning portion of the season for the Mavericks. However, Hardy is coming around as a go-to shot creator off the bench recently, and he looks far more comfortable toting the rock and making plays off-the-dribble for Dallas as of late. Hardy has also noticeably improved defensively this season, and he still has immense potential at only 22 years old.

Grade: B

9. Naji Marshall

Naji Marshall has been a jack-of-all-trades for the Mavericks in his first season with the team, as the 26-year-old wing has proved to be an efficient shot creator on his drive attempts as well as with his ability to get to his spots in the mid-range. Marshall has also been a solid defender for the Mavericks this year, only slightly hindering in production compared to Derrick Jones Jr. last season for Dallas. Marshall is finally starting to shoot the ball better from outside, and is truly one of the more versatile players on the roster.

Grade: A

10. Spencer Dinwiddie

Spencer Dinwiddie has been the epitome of inconsistent for the Mavericks this season, as the 31-year-old guard's play has fluctuated drastically on a night-to-night basis. Dinwiddie has held his own on the defensive end this season, but he's shooting very inefficiently offensively and has some questionable shot attempts every game. However, Dinwiddie has stepped up in some big-time games this season, saving him from being out of the rotation.

Grade: C-

11. Maxi Kleber

Maxi Kleber has had his least productive season in a Mavericks uniform in nine games this season so far, as Kleber has been injury-riddled and has provided very little offensively. Kleber has flashed some stout defense and shotmaking in a few games recently but overall doesn't look like the same player he once was.

Grade: D

12. Dwight Powell

At 33 years old, Dwight Powell is no longer the dynamic lob threat that he was a few years back. However, Powell remains a consummate professional for the Mavericks despite being the third-string center and puts in great effort on both ends when his name is called. Powell may have had very little impact on the court so far this season, but he's been a great teammate and has performed well when called upon.

Grade: B

13. Olivier-Maxence Prosper

Olivier-Maxence Prosper has shown sprinkles of the potential Dallas sought when they drafted him in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, but he hasn't shown much improvement from his first season to his second season in the league. Prosper hasn't had the most opportunities to establish himself in Dallas' rotation this season, but he's been inefficient offensively when he has gotten the chance to play and isn't quite an elite defender yet.

Grade: D-

14. Markieff Morris

Markieff Morris has barely seen the court barring garbage time this season for the Mavericks, but the 35-year-old veteran has made a huge impact off the court for the Mavericks and has been a great mentor to all of Dallas' younger players since he's been here.

Grade: A-

15. Dante Exum

Dante Exum hasn't played this season due to a wrist injury, but his return is being highly anticipated by fans.

Grade: N/A