Predicting Mavericks' new-era starting five with 3 weeks until opening night

October is here, meaning that Dallas Mavericks basketball is finally on the horizon. Dallas will open the 2026-27 season on the road against the Houston Rockets on October 21, but the team's starting five is far from finalized as they kick off a new era. The Mavericks have an entirely new coaching staff and front office, and the team's starting five could look much different from last year as well.

Dusty May did not list a starting unit when asked about it after a recent training camp practice, but it's impossible not to wonder who the first-year head coach plans to start.

The Mavericks have a lot of ground to make up after winning just 26 games last year, and with their emphasis on playing fast, they should play a much more exciting brand of basketball after how things went last season.

Point guard: Kyrie Irving

One of the only certainties about the Mavs' starting lineup is that Kyrie Irving will start at point guard as long as he's healthy.

He missed the entire 2025-26 season with a torn ACL, but he is fully healthy ahead of the 2026-27 season. The feedback surrounding Irving's recovery and performance this summer has been extremely positive, and he is poised to make everyone around him better.

The 34-year-old point guard averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from downtown in his last full season. His on-ball gravity, 3-point shooting, and leadership were all missed last season, and he will give the Mavs' offense a significant boost.

Shooting guard: Zaccharie Risacher

The shooting guard spot has several candidates who make sense, and fans are torn, but Zaccharie Risacher is a name to keep an eye on ahead of preseason beginning next month.

At 6-foot-8, Risacher would give the Mavs elite size at this position.

His shooting, speed, defense, and length make him a natural fit for this position, and May should prioritize getting him as much playing time as possible to prioritize his development. Risacher is just 21 years old, and he still has plenty of room to grow after getting drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in 2024.

This spot will likely come down to Risacher and Max Christie, but Risacher's ceiling and versatility make him a more promising fit here.

Small forward: Cooper Flagg

The only other guarantee to go with Kyrie running the one is that Cooper Flagg will start on the wing for Dallas.

The teenage star enters his second season after winning Rookie of the Year and averaging 21.0 points per game in his first season, and he's in a great spot to have another massive season.

Coop has been working hard on his shooting and shot creation this offseason, and if he improves in both areas, he's going to be extremely difficult to stop. He shot under 30 percent from three as a rookie, but fans shouldn't be too worried.

Flagg is a relentless worker, and the jumper will come along eventually.

His on-court partnership with Irving is one of the most exciting storylines ahead of the regular season, and fans should cherish the games that they play together for as long as they can.

Power forward: P.J. Washington

P.J. Washington's fit with Coop was shaky last season, but it's time for them to prove that they can fit together.

Irving's return is going to help everyone, and Flagg and Washington should benefit significantly. Washington is at his best as a play finisher, and having more of a limited offensive role will be beneficial for him.

Washington's rebounding, versatility, and physicality will be important for this unit (if they start him), and it already seems like he'll be a major X factor.

Center: Daniel Gafford

With Dereck Lively II sidelined indefinitely as he recovers from foot surgery that he had at the end of last year, this leaves Daniel Gafford as the most likely starter. He has started 96 games as a Maverick through his first two and a half seasons with the team, and this number will likely rise with Lively out.

Gafford is a strong rim protector and finisher around the basket, and he's the clear No. 1 option at big man if May wants to put the best player out there. He could consider starting Morez Johnson Jr. if he wants more versatility and defense, but Gafford projects to be the safer option.

Gaff averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 65.5 percent from the field, and he will be looking to build upon the positive momentum that he built at the end of the 2025-26 season.

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