5 Dallas Mavericks who clearly need more playing time

The Dallas Mavericks have raced out to a 2-0 start to begin the season. It's the first 2-0 start since 2019. And with a win tonight, it would be their first 3-0 start since 2004.

Luka Doncic is off to a scorching start. He's averaging 41.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game. Doncic has also gotten off to a hot start from three. So far, he's gone 12-of-25 from deep.

As for Doncic's co-star, Kyrie Irving, he hasn't looked as sharp. Yet, he's still averaging 19.5 points per game and adding value as a passer and rebounder. It's only a matter of time before Irving has an uber-efficient breakout game.

5 Dallas Mavericks who clearly need more playing time

Ancillary pieces, Tim Hardaway Jr. Grant Williams, Josh Green, and Dereck Lively II are all doing what they've been paid to do. Hardaway Jr. has already knocked down six threes, whereas Williams has made five from deep.

Green has shown some aggressiveness on offense while also playing with relentless energy on the defensive end. He's recorded two steals in each of the first two contests. Lively II has been a revelation at center. He's shooting 91.7 percent from the floor and has recorded seven dunks thus far.

Besides Doncic, the rest of the roster has looked good, but some impending changes look inevitable. Derrick Jones Jr. has started both games at the wing spot. However, Jones Jr. has averaged only 2.5 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. He hasn't made much of a difference on defense and is 0-of-4 from three.

And on the bench, longtime Maverick Maxi Kleber has struggled mightily. He hasn't looked as agile on defense this season and looks uncomfortable on offense. Kleber has gone 2-of-10 from the floor and hasn't made a three-pointer.

Despite Jones Jr. and Kleber's theoretical importance to the team, especially on defense, some other Mavs may be better suited to take over these roles. Also, it's been apparent that Dallas is still a poor defensive squad. A spark on the defensive side of the ball looks necessary at this point.

5. Dante Exum

Dante Exum might be just the player to provide that spark. Dallas allowed 119 points on opening night, then 120 points on Friday night.

First, Spurs guard Devin Vassell scored 23 points off a myriad of drives and mid-range jumpers. Then, Nets guard Cam Thomas went off for 30 points. Thomas also knocked down his fair share of mid-range jumpers and got to the rim with ease.

Exum has played less than ten minutes in each game. And, with little playing time, Exum hasn't been able to make a difference. However, in the preseason the former fifth-overall pick looked like a useful role player.

The Australian guard demonstrated the ability to defend multiple positions. He has a great combination of size and athleticism. Exum stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs around 215 pounds. He can defend quicker point guards and even some wings to take pressure off Irving and Doncic.

And, Exum isn't only a defensive ace. He's a talented playmaker who averaged 5.5 assists per game in the preseason. The Mavs' bench has only recorded 11 assists thus far.

Implementing Exum as the primary ball handler off the bench should equate to more playmaking.

4. Richaun Holmes

One of the newest Mavs, Richaun Holmes, hasn't stepped foot on the court this season. And, it could be for good reason. During the preseason, Holmes looked more like the player he has been over the past two seasons rather than the player he was in 2020-21 where he averaged 14.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

In limited preseason action, Holmes went 2-of-10 from the floor. His offense has looked shaky. But, perhaps more time with a playmaker like Luka Doncic would do Holmes wonders.

As evidenced by Dereck Lively II's abrupt ascension, Holmes' field goal percentage would surely skyrocket if he were to be on the other end of Doncic or even Kyrie Irving's assists.

While it obviously wouldn't be smart to give Holmes more minutes than Lively II. Playing Holmes in Kleber's role could pay dividends. Kleber has been used as a stretch forward to defend the perimeter and shoot threes, but his defense has lacked and his shooting is only so-so.

It may not be the best move playing Holmes next to Lively II or even Dwight Powell due to shooting restraints, but 10-15 minute spurts off the bench could give Holmes a chance to prove his worth.

However, if Powell plays as well as he did on Friday night, his inclusion into the lineup should be a given from here on out.

3. Olivier-Maxence Prosper

Despite being drafted near the end of the first round, Olivier-Maxence Prosper had a shot to begin the season as a starter. But, in the preseason, Prosper quickly looked overmatched against NBA competition.

It's clear that Prosper is still developing on offense. He only shot 26 percent from the floor during the preseason. To make matters worse, Prosper shot a ghastly 9 percent from distance.

The former Golden Eagle was drafted based on his athleticism, energy, and two-way potential. Giving Prosper some run with the starters, or even the second-stringers should speed up his development.

While playing with the starters, Prosper could showcase his athleticism on offense and versatility on defense. And with the second unit, Prosper would get more looks on offense while still demonstrating his relentless energy.

Even though Prosper may not be able to shoot the ball with excellent efficiency or score more than 10 points per game, he could at least replicate what Jones Jr. has done thus far with the starting five.

Playing the 21-year-old forward over Jones Jr., or off the bench might be key in speeding up his development. Something imperative for the future of the Mavs.

If Prosper can prove that he can knock down open shots, he could be a valuable role player before the end of the season.

2. Jaden Hardy

Most Mavs fans have wondered where Jaden Hardy has been. After playing in 48 games a season ago, the former second-rounder hasn't received a minute of action thus far.

There could be good reason for Hardy's lack of playing time, but a player as talented as Hardy should at least see a few minutes per game.

Hardy is a microwave scorer, who can put up points in a hurry. A player every team in the NBA could use. However, the Mavs currently have two players in the rotation similar to Hardy.

Tim Hardaway Jr. and Seth Curry are knockdown shooters who don't contribute much on the defensive end. While Hardy provides a different skillset than both of the aforementioned marksmen, he's an offensive specialist without much else to provide.

All in all, Hardy is deserving of minutes. Playing Hardy instead of Curry would add a different dimension to the Dallas offense. Also, docking Hardaway Jr.'s minutes would allow Hardy more time on the court.

Besides Doncic and Irving, the Mavs lack off-the-bounce scorers. Every Mav, sans Doncic and Irving, are assisted on more than 60 percent of their field goal makes. Hardy would give Dallas a third scoring option capable of creating his own shot.

1. Dereck Lively II

Out of all the players mentioned in this article, Dereck Lively II has received the most action on game days. Yet, he still is in need of additional time.

In Lively II's breakout game on opening night, he scored sixteen points and hauled in ten rebounds. Additionally, Lively II recorded a plus/minus of plus-20. Lively II has been remarkable thus far and only deserves more time on the hardwood.

His connection with Luka Doncic looks natural. And, he provides all Dallas guards with a viable target whenever he rolls to the rim. Lively II is 7-foot-1 and sports a 7-foot-7 wingspan. His incredible athleticism allows him to soar over defenders and catch passes anywhere near the rim.

The former Blue Devil has looked further ahead on offense than expected. In college, he only averaged 5.2 points per game. And perhaps something more shocking, Lively II's career high in points was 11 at Duke.

Lively II has enjoyed success on the offensive end, but where he'll make a difference long-term is on defense. The athletic big man will anchor the Dallas defense for the foreseeable future. And, playing Lively II around 25-30 minutes a game now certainly wouldn't hurt.

For all the latest news on the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.