Dallas Mavericks start, bench, cut: Dereck Lively II, Richaun Holmes, Dwight Powell
By Noah Weber
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The Dallas Mavericks center room is something that has been a problem since Tyson Chandler left for the second time.
The Mavs' weakness always seems to be starting center, and they didn't necessarily address that need fully this summer.
They had a great draft night, as they drafted Dereck Lively II with the No. 12 overall pick and traded for Richaun Holmes, but will either move be enough?
Dallas Mavericks start, bench, cut: Dereck Lively II, Richaun Holmes, Dwight Powell
Lively II will have a lot to prove in training camp if he wants the starting role, and Holmes is a few years removed from playing great basketball (even though he was stuck on the Sacramento Kings' bench).
It seems that Dallas still wants to trade for a starting center if a move presents itself, but Dallas is also fine with running the "center platoon" strategy they've used for the past few years with Lively II, Holmes, and Dwight Powell.
Picking a starting center for opening night may be tough for Jason Kidd, as all three centers could make a case for starting.
Start: Dwight Powell
Starting Powell this season is something that every Mavs fan has feared, and it looks like it's going to happen again.
Kidd will likely give the other bigs a chance to fight for the starting spot, but Powell's chemistry with Luka Doncic and the team, along with his energy, will likely earn him the starting spot.
Powell has been with the Mavs since 2014 as he was a part of the Rajon Rondo trade, and he will remain in Dallas for the next three years at least as he re-signed this summer.
In 582 games for the Mavs, Powell averages 7.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. He is great in the pick-and-roll with Doncic, but his inability to be a rim protector and average rebounding makes him a concerning start for Dallas.
Powell starting shouldn't be penciled in just yet by any means, but this seems like the most likely outcome at this point.