Mavericks' Potential Starting Lineup With Anthony Davis

The Dallas Mavericks have completely reshaped their roster with the blockbuster Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade, shifting their identity from an offensive juggernaut to a defense-first team. 

While losing Doncic, their offensive focal point and franchise cornerstone, is a massive change, the addition of Davis gives them one of the best two-way players in the NBA. This move signals a new era in Dallas, built around defensive dominance and veteran leadership.

Starting Lineup

Starters: Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford

Anthony Davis, who has been having a sensational season, comes into Dallas averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game, shooting an efficient 52.8% from the field. 

His presence immediately transforms the Mavericks into one of the best defensive teams in the league. Unlike in Los Angeles, where he was often forced to play center due to roster constraints, Davis will now get the frontcourt help he always wanted with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II (once healthy).

Gafford, a rim-protecting big who thrives in the paint, will allow Davis to roam defensively, helping him preserve energy and avoid unnecessary wear and tear. PJ Washington provides size and versatility on the wing, while Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson bring elite shot-making to balance out the offense. 

This lineup offers a mix of experience, scoring, and defensive toughness, which could make Dallas a legitimate playoff threat.

Reserves

Reserves: Spencer Dinwiddie, Dante Exum, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, Max Christie, Naji Marshall O-Max Prosper, Dwight Powell, Dereck Lively II (Injured), Brandon Williams (Two-Way), Kylor Kelly (Two-Way), Kessler Edwards (Two-Way)

The Dallas Mavericks' bench depth is one of their biggest assets following the Luka Dondic-Anthony Davis trade. Unlike past years, when the second unit was inconsistent, the Mavericks now have a strong mix of veterans, young talent, and defensive specialists who can step in and contribute. With a more defensive-oriented approach, their reserves will play a key role in maintaining the team’s energy, especially when the starters rest.

One of the biggest strengths of this bench is backcourt depth. Spencer Dinwiddie brings veteran leadership and offensive versatility. He is capable of running the offense, allowing Kyrie Irving to play off the ball when needed. 

Meanwhile, Jaden Hardy provides instant scoring and can heat up quickly, making him an important offensive weapon off the bench. With these three guards, the Mavericks have a solid combination of playmaking, scoring, and defensive effort that will be crucial during tight games.

On the wing, Quentin Grimes and Max Christie bring defensive intensity and shooting. Grimes, in particular, was an underrated acquisition that gives Dallas a strong perimeter defender to throw at opposing stars. His ability to knock down open threes makes him a valuable 3-and-D player, which is exactly what this team needs. 

Christie is still developing but has the potential to carve out a role as a defensive-minded wing with solid shooting ability. With Dallas shifting toward a more defense-first identity, these two will be key in guarding elite perimeter scorers when the starters need a break.

The forward depth is also a significant improvement. Naji Marshall and Olivier-Maxence Prosper bring versatility, length, and defensive toughness. Both players are capable of guarding multiple positions, which gives head coach Jason Kidd more flexibility in matchups. 

Marshall, in particular, is a high-energy player who thrives in transition and does the dirty work on both ends. Prosper is still a young player developing his game, but he adds size, rebounding, and athleticism to a team that needs it.

One of the biggest questions for Dallas will be frontcourt depth, especially with Dereck Lively II injured. Dwight Powell is still around, but his impact has diminished in recent years. 

While he can provide energy and rebounding, he is not a defensive anchor. Lively, once healthy, will be crucial for rim protection, as he has already shown flashes of being an elite shot-blocker. If Lively can return and contribute at a high level, the Mavericks’ big-man rotation will look much stronger, allowing Davis to focus on roaming the paint rather than playing a traditional center role.

The Mavericks’ second unit is significantly better than in previous seasons, but they may still look for additional reinforcements before the trade deadline. Adding another experienced big man or a veteran wing shooter could further solidify their bench. 

As it stands, Dallas has a well-balanced second unit that can support the starters and help the team maintain leads rather than struggle when the stars sit. If their bench performs to its full potential, the Mavericks could be one of the most dangerous teams in the Western Conference playoffs.

Dallas currently sits 8th in the Western Conference with a 26-23 record, just three games behind the 5th-seeded Lakers. However, they are also just 3.5 games ahead of the 12th-seeded Spurs, meaning there is very little margin for error in a tightly packed West.

The success of this new-look Mavericks team will depend on Davis staying healthy and their defense becoming elite. If they can develop chemistry quickly and make a strong post-All-Star push, they could climb up the standings and become a serious playoff threat. However, if injuries or inconsistency hold them back, they could struggle to maintain their position in the play-in race.

This trade was a bold shift in philosophy for the Mavericks, betting on defense over offensive firepower. If Davis, Irving, and Thompson can stay healthy, Dallas will be a nightmare matchup for any team in the postseason. The Luka era is over, but a new chapter has begun—one that could either bring defensive dominance or more uncertainty for the franchise.