Do the Dallas Mavericks Have a Point Guard Problem?

The Dallas Mavericks will enter the 2025-26 NBA season with a solid roster on paper, but Kyrie Irving will be on the sidelines until January 2026 at the earliest. “Do the Mavericks have a point guard problem?” you ask. Continue reading for further insight so you can make an informed decision.

Do the Dallas Mavericks Have a Point Guard Problem?

Do the Mavericks truly have a point guard problem? It depends on who you ask, but it’s a good question to think about ahead of the team’s season opener against the San Antonio Spurs next Wednesday. Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley recently questioned whether the Mavericks would have point guard issues until Irving returns. Buckley’s recent questioning contains all valid questions, in my opinion.

“With Anthony Davis around for the whole offseason, top pick Cooper Flagg added to the equation and a rotation that should run deep whenever Kyrie Irving makes it back from his ACL recovery, the Mavs will bring an interesting collection of puzzle pieces into this campaign,” Buckley wrote. “But will they ever find their Lebowskian rug that ties everything together?

“D’Angelo Russell can get a little too shot-happy, and honestly, passing isn’t the sharpest tool in Irving’s arsenal, either. Flagg’s playmaking should help, but it’d be asking a lot to expect a rookie non-point guard to solve a potential passing problem on a team with championship aspirations.”

Can the Mavericks Overcome Point Guard Struggles?

Can the Mavericks overcome point guard struggles? Again, it depends on who you ask, but if you ask me, then I believe that the team can survive it. Russell will be the team’s first option for a temporary point guard. They primarily signed Russell, 29, for this specific reason. However, if the 29-year-old doesn’t work out for whatever reason, then they can use Jaden Hardy and maybe Flagg to lead their offense. I’m sure Flagg, 18, can lead the team’s offense, but that’s a huge responsibility for a rookie forward finding his way in the NBA.

Final Thoughts

The Mavericks can overcome point guard issues with the options on hand until Irving returns. However, they’re in a unique position after trading Luka Doncic, so their overall foundation likely won’t be 100% until Irving, 33, successfully returns. Irving’s long-term commitment is crucial to their success.