Dallas Mavericks Roster Overview

Point Guard: A+

Luka Doncic - Five years in the league

Spencer Dinwiddie - Eight years in the league

Facundo Campazzo - Two years in the league

Frank Ntilikina - Five years in the league

McKinley Wright IV - One year in the league

The Mavericks are solid at the guard position, with their superstar Luka Doncic at the helm of the offense. Doncic's ability to pick on smaller defenders and draw double teams is vital to the Mavericks' offense. Quick passes out of double teams, and a surprising new intensity on the defensive end make Doncic an early candidate for the MVP.

Spencer Dinwiddie has been proving that he is capable of creating for others while also being a solid scorer for the Mavericks. While Dinwiddie is not much of a two-way threat, he still plays productive minutes on both ends of the court. Regardless of who Dallas puts at the one, the duality of Doncic and Dinwiddie opens the floor for everyone else.

With limited time available at point guard, the backups will likely not play much, but after a good preseason, I believe Jason Kidd will find some minutes for McKinley Wright IV.

Shooting Guard: C

Tim Hardaway Jr. - Nine years in the league

Tyler Dorsey - Two years in the league

Josh Green - Two years in the league

Jaden Hardy - Rookie

Theo Pinson - Four years in the league

Tim Hardaway Jr. is the aggressive scorer Dallas needed desperately during last season’s playoff run. He is returning from injury and has been finding his rhythm on the court. Like most volume scorers, when Hardaway Jr. is hot, he is on fire, but it can be hard for him to get his shooting stroke right during cold streaks. With the benefit of offense, it has to be said that Hardaway Jr’s defense could improve, but he knows his strengths and plays within them.

Josh Green and Jaden Hardy are still developing, but with the majority of the guard minutes already allocated, it will be rare to see them playing outside of garbage time. Tyler Dorsey is also in the same boat as Green and Hardy but is a more established player than both. The Mavericks have a deep roster of shooters that could be subbed in at any moment and get hot.

Small Forward: B+

Reggie Bullock - Nine years in the league

Dorian Finney-Smith - Six years in the league

Dallas has two great three-and-D players in Reggie Bullock and Dorian Finney-Smith. Both players are selfless on offense but still score when the time presents itself. DoeDoe is the main defender for Dallas and can guard the 1-4, making him very valuable to the squad.

Dallas can substitute either with two three-and-D forwards and keep their defensive presence on the floor. Also, as good shooters, it makes it hard for the defense to collapse on the ball handler, usually Doncic, on an isolation play.

Big Men (PF & C): B+

Christian Wood (C) - Six years in the league

JaVale McGee (C) - 14 years in the league

Maxi Kleber (PF) - Five years in the league

Dwight Powell (C) - Eight years in the league

Davis Bertans (PF) - Six years in the league

Christian Wood and JaVale McGee have joined the roster and made an immediate impact. As a three-level scorer, Wood consistently finds himself on the end of a dime from Doncic at the three-point line. In addition, his athleticism makes him a target for alley-ops and isolation plays in the post.

McGee starts the game and plays the role of a rim runner and defensive anchor. His ability to play in the pick-and-roll has made him a target for alley-oops and drop-offs in the paint. On the other end, he frequently contests big and small attackers while hustling on the boards.

The rebounding and defense that Wood and McGee bring were what Dallas was missing. Maxi Kleber has been playing minutes at center but hasn’t been as effective as Wood or McGee while averaging similar playing time. He is still an option as a stretch big for the Mavericks, but I believe he would fit the lineup better if they played him at the Power Forward position alongside Wood or McGee.

Dwight Powell has been hurt, but when he comes back, I believe he will play a respectable amount of minutes for the team and provide rebounding and defense. Davis Bertans is currently hurt but could play minutes at small or power forward when he returns.

Overall B+:

This Mavericks roster is well-constructed, with shooters at every position. The pickup at center was vital for the team’s ability to effectively run the five-out offense without being severely punished on the defensive end. Dallas is a contender for the Finals and has a potential MVP candidate running the plays.

After matching up well against the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies, I think it’s safe to say that Dallas can win it all. It will be an exciting season for the Mavericks roster, with their eyes set on the goal of being champions.