5 Dark horse candidates to eventually break into Mavericks' starting lineup

1. Spencer Dinwiddie

The Mavericks are in a very good spot with multiple options, and what more than a comfort feeling knowing a former Maverick is coming back to deliver more.

During Spencer Dinwiddie's first tenure with Dallas, he was a reliable second or third scorer next to Doncic. He was an important piece when the Mavericks went to the Western Conference Finals in 2022.

Dinwiddie saw some of his best career numbers in a Maverick uniform, averaging 17.7 points in the 2022-23 season. He shot the ball at a pretty high clip, shooting 40.5 percent from beyond the arc.

His minutes in his first tenure showed he was badly needed in Dallas, averaging 34.1 minutes per game in the 2022-23 season. Those minutes will likely trickle down due to increased depth at the guard position now, but his production will still be needed as much as his first tenure.

Dinwiddie is a player more than capable of hitting tough shots at a high rate. He's shooting will be needed if Klay Thompson is in a slump just like he was for some of his last season with Golden State. Dinwiddie is 31 years old and in what could still be called the prime of his own career.

He has familiarity starting with Doncic. His experience gives him an edge to be a dark horse to start. Dinwiddie could help take the pressure off Doncic by making the most of his minutes while Doncic is off the floor. Doncic was hurting badly at the end of the year due to multiple injuries that hindered his playoff performances.

Considering if Doncic is injured, or if the training staff wants to be conservative and rest him, Dinwiddie is more than qualified to start with Kyrie Irving, Thompson, P.J. Washington and DerecckLively II.

For more on the Mavs this offseason, stay tuned.