Is a starting lineup change coming for the Dallas Mavericks?

The Dallas Mavericks signed JaVale McGee this offseason and instantly inserted him into the opening five. Head coach Jason Kidd worked with the veteran big man in Los Angeles, and the organization believed that McGee’s rim protection, rebounding, and lob threat would improve their starting group.

After seven games, fans are clamoring for a change. The Mavs have struggled to begin games, and it feels like they are fighting out of a hole every night. JaVale McGee cannot find his footing, and Kidd’s starting five has a negative-15.6 net rating in 59 minutes on the floor so far this season.

The starting lineup struggled again on Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz, but Dwight Powell brought a spark off the bench that helped the Mavs get back into the contest, and Christian Wood was outstanding in the second half to help them secure the victory. Are McGee’s struggles enough to bench him? Coach Kidd hinted that a change could be on the horizon.

Is a starting lineup change coming for the Dallas Mavericks?

Kidd was asked about specifically starting Dwight Powell after Wednesday’s win over the Jazz, and he had this to say in his postgame presser.

"If I could start six, yeah. I’ll take the T. I’ll pay the fine. No, but he deserves it, and that will be something we talk about, so we will see."

It was the first time since summer league that Kidd waffled about McGee starting. He even gave the seven-footer an endorsement as the starting center following Sunday’s win over the Magic, but McGee is just not getting the job done right now. He is struggling to rebound and protect the rim, while not providing any offensive impact.

Dwight Powell’s energy and effort were contagious in the Mavericks' win over the Jazz. He changed the game as Dallas outscored Utah by 25 points in his 19 minutes of action. DP got extended run because he was flying around on the defensive end and pressuring the rim when the Mavericks had the ball.

Spencer Dinwiddie let MFFLs know how special Dwight Powell is after the game.

Should the Dallas Mavericks make a change in the starting lineup? Dwight Powell has outplayed JaVale McGee so far this season, and he is just more comfortable in the team’s system. Dallas will need McGee to produce at some point in the long season, but right now, DP should be back in the opening group. Every game matters in a deep Western Conference, and Powell is playing better at the moment.

Will head coach Jason Kidd make a change on Friday night when the Mavs host the Toronto Raptors? Stay tuned to find out.