🏀 Projected Starting Five (Confirmed)
Point Guard – D’Angelo Russell
Dallas signed Russell to a 2‑year, $13 million deal to replace Kyrie Irving while he recovers from an ACL injury
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Averaged 12.6 points and 5.1 assists last season with the Lakers/Nets—veteran experience to steady the backcourt.
Shooting Guard – Klay Thompson
Acquired from Golden State via sign‑and‑trade in July 2024
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Four-time champion brings elite 3‑point shooting and veteran leadership.
Small Forward – P.J. Washington
Part of a February 2024 trade from Charlotte for frontcourt depth
Reliable two-way PF/SF who started most of last season.
Power Forward – Anthony Davis
Joined in the blockbuster midseason trade sending Luka Dončić to the Lakers
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Brings All-NBA talent—25.7 PPG, 11.9 RPG last season.
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Showed promise as a rim protector and energy starter.
🌟 Bench & Key Reserves
Spencer Dinwiddie – Experienced guard re-signed August 2024 to offer veteran playmaking
Dante Exum – Re-signed July 2025 to bolster backcourt amidst Irving’s absence
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Naji Marshall – Two‑way wing with a three‑year, $27 M deal signed last summer
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Olivier‑Maxence Prosper – Rookie wing on a multi‑year contract, offers energy and defense
Daniel Gafford – Veteran center rotation piece, continues to anchor second unit
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Caleb Martin – Acquired early Feb 2025 for rotation versatility
Brandon Williams – Young two‑way guard added via April 2025 contract
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Kessler Edwards, Jaden Hardy, Kai Jones, and Quentin Grimes are under contract/equity control—likely two‑way or end‑of‑bench roles
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🔍 Team Context & Cap Implications
Kyrie Irving remains under contract with a player option for 2025‑26, rehabbing ACL with an expected January return
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Financially, the Mavs are well over the salary cap, with minimal room—fully committed to the vets plus rookies .
Cooper Flagg, this summer’s No. 1 pick, is projected to begin in the Summer League as a developmental project under Kidd
. He’s expected to join full camp but likely start the year on the bench as he acclimates to the NBA.
💡 2025‑26 Lineups Snapshot
Role Primary Option Secondary/Bench Candidate
Starting 5 Russell / Thompson / Washington / Davis / Lively II —
First Bench Dinwiddie / Exum / Marshall / Prosper / Gafford
Deep Reserves Martin / Williams / Edwards / Hardy / Grimes
Wildcard Flagg (debugged via Summer League, high upside)
✍️ Summary
Dallas enters 2025‑26 with a strong veteran-fueled starting lineup and a robust depth chart:
Russell, Thompson, Washington, Davis, and Lively II lock in the starters.
Dinwiddie, Exum, Marshall, Prosper, and Gafford form a solid second unit capable of delivering energy and playoff seasoning.
The rookies and young reserves, especially Cooper Flagg, Williams, Hardy, and Edwards, offer high upside and developmental promise.
Coach Jason Kidd is likely to mix experience and youth, leaning on veterans to anchor rotations while gradually integrating Flagg and the young guns. If Irving returns in January, the depth could push Dallas to serious playoff contention again.
