Mavericks' path back to NBA Finals rests on crucial starting lineup change

Heading into the 2024-25 NBA season, the Dallas Mavericks are one team that will have a major change to the starting lineup.

Klay Thompson has already been reported to be the team's starting small forward next season (Derrick Jones Jr. started last season and signed with the LA Clippers this summer), but is another starting lineup change on the horizon as well?

Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and P.J. Washington will likely be the other starters to run the two guard spots and the power forward spot in Jason Kidd's starting five, but the Mavs may need to make a big change to their starting center spot to unleash their full potential.

It's time for Dereck Lively II to start over Daniel Gafford

According to Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, the Mavs should move Daniel Gafford to the bench in favor of Dereck Lively II. Gafford was the starter for Dallas throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs, but Swartz thinks it's time for Lively II to reclaim his starting spot.

Swartz's reasoning behind Lively II starting over Gafford includes Lively II's potential with the team moving forward as well as his importance as a defender and rebounder. Swartz thinks that Lively II should be moved into the starting lineup "immediately," and he may just get what he's wishing for.

Lively II has already been speculated to become the starting center next season, and everything is pointing to that. All playoffs long the Mavs seemed to fare much better when Lively II was on the floor compared to Gafford, and Lively II is only 20 years old. The Mavs returning to the NBA Finals next year could hinge on Lively II taking a major leap, and this leap could be accelerated through him rejoining the starting unit.

Lively II has the potential to develop into one of the best centers in the NBA, and in order for him to be fully unleashed to chase that potential, he needs to be in the starting lineup. Lively II's feel for the game at such a young age is unmatched, and his game will only continue to improve while playing next to Luka Doncic.

Doncic's trust in Lively II started even before last season began, and they became one of the most deadly pick-and-roll duos in the NBA. Lively II's ability to finish above the rim with a slam or even make a clean kick-out pass to a shooter in the corner out of the short roll made him an essential piece for the Mavericks offense, and him becoming a starter is a move that seems guaranteed going into training camp unless something seriously changes.

This race for starting center could end up being much closer than anyone realizes, and Kidd has a great problem on his hands when it comes to deciding on who will start at the five on opening night. Coaches dream of having this type of depth, and Kidd is going to have plenty of flexibility when building his rotation ahead of next season.

Both players excel in different areas, and the Mavs have one of the best one-two punches at center in the NBA with Lively II and Gafford.

Dallas can still be a dangerous contender with Gafford as the starting five, but Lively II's development may be part of the blueprint for the Mavs to return to the NBA Finals once again.