Dallas Mavericks position battles heading into training camp

Dallas Mavericks position battle heading into training camp: 4. Starting wings

Former Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle used Tim Hardaway Jr. as both a starter and a sixth man last season before placing him in the opening five and relying on him heavily in the playoffs. How will Jason Kidd see his role, especially after Dallas added a third starting-caliber wing in free agency?

Favorites: Dorian Finney-Smith, Tim Hardaway Jr.

Challenger- Reggie Bullock

Bullock started 64 of his 65 regular-season games played last season for the New York Knicks and all five of their playoff games. The 30-year-old has primarily been a starter in each of the last four seasons, but will he be able to unseat Finney-Smith or Hardaway Jr. in Dallas?

Finney-Smith and Bullock are better perimeter defenders than THJ. With Jason Kidd’s focus on defense, does that give them the upper hand to be the starters?

Coach Kidd could start all three players, but that would mean playing Kristaps Porzingis primarily or exclusively at the five. Does the Hall of Famer view that as the team’s best chance to win, and can KP hold up over a full 82-game season guarding centers? Regardless, Doe-Doe, THJ, and Bullock will be battling for minutes this season, and all three may have to sacrifice to keep everyone happy.