Jason Kidd confirms Spencer Dinwiddie will start and run Mavericks 2nd unit

The Dallas Mavericks planned to move Spencer Dinwiddie into the starting five after Jalen Brunson left in free agency. Head coach Jason Kidd made that clear all the way back in summer league, but he chose rookie Jaden Hardy to start at the two in the team’s second preseason game. That left fans wondering if the lineup was in flux.

Rumors leaked over the weekend that Kidd decided against Dinwiddie starting, but that is not the case. The head coach made his plans clear during Monday’s media availability.

Here is a look at Kidd’s quote when asked about who is starting at the two, and what fans can expect on opening night in Phoenix on Oct. 19.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd confirms Spencer Dinwiddie will start and run 2nd unit

Kidd was asked about who would start at the two to open his media availability on Oct. 10, and the Hall of Famer made it clear that Dinwiddie would open games next to Luka Doncic.

"Yea, you look at Spencer starting there with Luka. Just Spencer being Spencer. Looking at being able to have two ball handlers out on the floor. Also, I think those two are a pretty good combination. Then, being able to split those two, so Spencer can come back and run that second group."

Coach Kidd appears set on Dinwiddie starting and exiting around the six-minute mark of the first quarter, so he can return at the start of the second period to run the second unit. Luka Doncic will play the entire first quarter and return for the final six minutes of the second. Dinwiddie will likely get a short break after Doncic returns before returning for the final three-ish minutes of the period.

Fans can hear Kidd's full interview from Oct. 10 below.

Luka and Dinwiddie are a dynamic backcourt that allows the Dallas Mavericks to play as they did during their conference finals run. The 23-year-old superstar will be leading the charge, but coach Kidd needs to keep Doncic or Dinwiddie on the floor at all times as the Mavs lack a third ball-handler after the departure of Jalen Brunson.

Kidd mentioned in Monday’s press conference that he has faith in Josh Green, Frank Ntilikina, Jaden Hardy, and big men like Dorian Finney-Smith to handle any ancillary duties behind Doncic and Dinwiddie, but that could change quickly if those players struggle in those opportunities. The Mavs head coach did say his starting lineup and rotations will remain fluid as he tries different combinations throughout the season.

The Dallas Mavericks will start Luka Doncic, Spencer Dinwiddie, Reggie Bullock, Dorian Finney-Smith, and JaVale McGee on opening night against the Phoenix Suns. Can the Mavs build on last season’s run to the conference finals? Stay tuned to find out and to see what number 77 can accomplish next.