Mavericks' retooled depth chart finally gives Cooper Flagg what he needs most

The Dallas Mavericks have been busy this offseason, as they acquired four rookies through the 2026 NBA Draft and traded for three players in a massive six-team trade. The Mavericks desperately needed to add 3-point shooting around Cooper Flagg after a rough showing from downtown last season, and they finally gave him what he needed most: 3-point shooters across the board.

Dallas shot 34.4 percent from three on 31.9 attempts per game last season, and both of these figures ranked in the bottom five of the NBA. Flagg needs floor spacing around him to attack the basket more effectively, and while he was an elite finisher his rookie season, he would've been even better here if the players around him could knock down open shots.

Max Christie is the only player from last season's 15-man roster who shot above 40 percent from three and is coming back, but the Mavericks are going to look significantly different, especially from long range, next season.

Point guard: Kyrie Irving's return will change everything

Early projections: Kyrie Irving, Marcus Sasser, Ryan Nembhard, Sergio De Larrea

The Mavericks still have work to do in their backcourt, but having Kyrie Irving back is going to be game-changing for Cooper Flagg.

Flagg hasn't played with Irving yet after Irving missed all of last season with a torn ACL, and he's poised to open up the floor significantly for the young wing. Irving's return alone will improve the team's 3-point shooting, and Dallas will be in a much better spot than they were last season.

Marcus Sasser is the most logical option to be the top backup behind Irving after the Mavericks acquired him in a six-team trade, and his shooting is elite. He shot 41.5 percent from three last season for the Detroit Pistons, and Dallas will be hoping that he keeps this up for them.

Sergio De Larrea and Ryan Nembhard will likely be the two guards behind Sasser and Irving, but it's unclear who will be the top option at this point. Both players are playing in Summer League, and since they're elite passers and strong shooters, they'll make Flagg's life much easier when sharing the floor with him.

Shooting guard: All of Dallas' two-guards are sharpshooters

Early projections: Max Christie, Klay Thompson, John Poulakidas

The Mavericks' shooting guard spot is filled with sharpshooters, and that's exactly what they need.

While Klay Thompson's future in Dallas remains murky, Max Christie and John Poulakidas' spots seem secure. Both players shot above 40 percent from three last season and are deadly off the catch.

Christie's 3-and-D ability combined with Poulakidas' movement shooting gives the Mavericks an intriguing tandem in their backcourt, and Irving's return will help get them even more open shots.

Small forward: The Mavericks have plenty of options on the wing

Early projections: Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall, Tarik Biberovic, Caleb Martin

The Mavericks are loaded on the wing, and their small forward depth is just the tip of the iceberg.

Cooper Flagg is the obvious starter on the wing, with Naji Marshall, Tarik Biberovic, and Caleb Martin as his backups. Marshall spent a decent amount of time in the backcourt last season due to his passing, slashing, and lack of a jump shot, but it seems more likely that he’ll play on the wing now that Irving is healthy once again.

What Marshall lacks is made up for by Biberovic. He averaged 12.1 points per game while shooting 45.8 percent from three in 78 games for Fenerbahce in 2025-26, and he will immediately become one of the best shooters on the team.

Dallas acquired his draft rights in a six-team trade earlier this offseason, later signing him to a two-year deal. Biberovic is poised to have a real role if his overseas numbers are any indication.

Caleb Martin gives Dallas a 3-and-D wing who brings elite defense at the point of attack, and while his jumper has been streaky since being acquired by the Mavericks, he showed growth in this area last season once he was fully healthy and playing with rhythm.

Power forward: Dallas has a logjam at power forward

Early projections: P.J. Washington, Morez Johnson Jr., Santi Aldama, Tobi Lawal, Tyler Smith

If you thought the Mavericks were stacked at small forward, just look at who they have at power forward.

Dallas drafted Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft despite still having P.J. Washington on the roster, and this logjam could prompt a trade if Dusty May wants Johnson Jr. starting right away. Washington has already been in trade rumors this offseason, and with Johnson Jr.'s jumper being relatively unproven, they could look to move on from Washington after he shot 32.5 percent from three in 2025-26.

Santi Aldama was a massive pickup for the frontcourt, as he finally gives them a player with stretch-five potential and strong size paired with shooting. The 7-footer is a career 34.6 percent 3-point shooter on 4.1 attempts per game, and his shooting and connectivity will help give Dallas' offense a new look when he's paired with another big.

Tobi Lawal and Tyler Smith are both in two-way deals, with Smith having much more upside as a shooter. Smith is a career 35.4 percent 3-point shooter on 1.9 attempts per game and also possesses some guard skills that make him an intriguing year-three player.

Lawal is a rookie this season, and his offensive game certainly has some work to do. His athleticism and dunking make him exciting, but he is way more raw than someone like Smith.

Center: Injuries cloud a once-dominant center duo

Early projections: Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford

The Mavericks' two-headed monster from down low over the last three seasons remains together ahead of the 2026-27 season. Both Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford struggled to stay healthy last season, but Dallas has high-level center play when both players are in the lineup.

Neither player will help the Mavericks' shooting woes despite yearly optimism that Lively II will become a floor spacer, but Aldama can spend time at center as well.

A year of Lively II and Gafford both on the floor will remind Mavericks fans how impactful they can be, but their center room could look much different by the time the season rolls around. Gafford has constantly been floated in trade rumors for years now, and Moussa Cisse could be returning in free agency as well.

This depth chart could look completely different by the time that the regular season rolls around since the Mavs still have access to the Mid-Level Exception and a Traded Player Exception, and several players have been in trade rumors.

Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz have done an excellent job of adding more shooters around Flagg, and even if the roster looks exactly like this on opening night, the offseason should be considered a success. The new era of Mavericks basketball will look completely different from past seasons, and there's a reason to be excited about Flagg and company's potential.

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