Dallas Mavericks position battles heading into training camp

Dallas Mavericks position battle heading into training camp: 1. Fifth starter

Head coach Jason Kidd’s philosophy and strategy will dictate the team’s starting lineup. Their most effective unit on both ends of the floor is playing Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis flanked by three floor spacing and perimeter defensive wings, but will Kidd want to wear KP down playing that all season?

Favorite: ???

Challengers: Reggie Bullock, Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell

The Mavs could choose to start Powell or Willie Cauley-Stein in a traditional lineup next to KP. Going small with Bullock, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Dorian Finney-Smith is another option for coach Kidd with starting Kleber serving as the buffer between the two. If he is healthy, Kleber’s ability to defend on the perimeter becomes massive to whatever Dallas attempts to do this season.

The Mavericks' fifth starter could be determined by the matchups with all three players picking up a handful. Feelings matter too here with some players performing better off the bench or in the starting five, which could impact Kidd's decisions.

All three of these players and the rest of the roster will be battling for minutes during training camp, which begins on Sept. 28. The Dallas Mavericks want to go on their first deep playoff run since winning the title in 2011, so stay tuned to see if they can make it a reality in 2022.