5 issues the Dallas Mavericks must sort out during training camp

3. Does Dallas prioritize a strong offense or defense in the opening unit?

The Mavs have two starters locked into place, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Besides the two All-Stars, the coaching staff has a decision to make.

Will new acquisition and fourth-highest-paid player Grant Williams become a full-time starter for the first time in his career? Will Josh Green improve enough offensively to start on the wing? Will either one of the rookies, Dereck Lively II or Olivier-Maxence Prosper impress enough in training camp to start on opening night? Or will returnees Tim Hardaway Jr., Maxi Kleber, and Dwight Powell once again grace the starting five?

As of now, there are more questions than answers. However, the questions begin with offense and defense. All of the players previously mentioned have been or are quite better on one end of the floor than the other.

A strong defensive opening unit may include Green, Williams, and Powell, or Lively II. While a strong offensive unit would include Hardaway Jr., Williams, and Holmes.

Ultimately, the Mavs may try and go with the best of both worlds. With Doncic and Irving already on the court, the offense won't be an issue as long as both stars figure out how to play off one another.

Having Doncic and Irving on the floor at the same time means defense and spacing are crucial. Thus, Hardaway Jr. and Williams will likely man the forward spots. Hardaway Jr. due to his knockdown shooting and Williams due to his 3-and-D archetype.

As previously discussed, the last spot will likely go to returnee Powell. But, Lively II should soon compete with Powell for minutes. If Lively II were to start, think of these Mavs as the 2017-2022 Utah Jazz. Premier offensive weapons on the perimeter, with a hulking interior presence who acts as a defensive clean-up man, blocking any shot that comes his way.