Who Makes the Cut? Analyzing the Current NBA Dallas Roster and Key Players

Walking into the American Airlines Center this season feels different. Last year, everything was new—new coach, new system, new expectations. But as Luka Dončić mentioned in a recent interview, "This year, it’s not new. So now, I come with a little bit better foundation of understanding what it looks like and feels like." That sense of continuity is palpable. You can see it in the way the team moves during practice, the chemistry building off the court, and the shared understanding of what needs to be done. For the Dallas Mavericks, this isn’t about starting over anymore. It’s about refining, attacking weaknesses, and leveraging the roster’s unique strengths. And honestly, as someone who’s followed this team for years, I think that shift in mindset could be the key to a deeper playoff run.

Let’s start with the obvious: Luka Dončić is the heart and soul of this team. There’s no debate there. The guy averaged 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists last season—numbers that are just absurd. But what’s even more impressive is how he’s grown into a leader. Last season felt like he was carrying the team on his back night after night, and while that was thrilling to watch, it wasn’t sustainable. This year, with a clearer system under Coach Jason Kidd and a more settled roster, Luka seems to be playing with a different kind of confidence. He’s not just reacting; he’s dictating. And when Luka is in that mode, the Mavericks are a nightmare to defend.

Then there’s Kyrie Irving. Look, I’ll admit I was skeptical when the Mavericks traded for him mid-season. His fit alongside Luka was a question mark, and the early returns were shaky. But the way Kyrie has embraced his role this offseason tells me he’s all in. He’s been working on his off-ball movement, and his ability to create his own shot is still elite. In fact, I’d argue he’s one of the top three isolation scorers in the league. Pairing him with Luka gives Dallas two players who can break down any defense, and that’s a luxury few teams have. The key, though, is how they mesh over a full season. If they can find that balance, the Mavericks’ backcourt will be virtually unstoppable.

But a team isn’t just its stars. The supporting cast matters, and this is where Dallas has made some interesting moves. Take Dereck Lively II, for example. The rookie big man brings something the Mavericks have desperately needed: rim protection and vertical spacing. I watched him in summer league, and his timing on blocks is already advanced for his age. He’s not going to be an All-Star overnight, but he doesn’t have to be. If he can average even 1.5 blocks per game and finish lobs from Luka and Kyrie, he’ll have done his job. Then there’s Josh Green, who’s quietly become one of the most efficient role players in the league. His three-point shooting jumped to 40.2% last season, and his defensive versatility is huge for a team that struggled on that end at times.

Speaking of defense, that’s where the Mavericks need to improve the most. Last season, they ranked 25th in defensive rating, and that’s just not going to cut it if they want to compete for a championship. The addition of Grant Williams was a step in the right direction. He’s a physical, switchable defender who can guard multiple positions and knock down open threes. I love his mentality—he’s not afraid to get under opponents’ skin, and that edge is something this team has lacked. But they’ll need more than just him. Maxi Kleber’s health will be critical, and if he can stay on the floor, his ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim will be invaluable.

Offensively, the Mavericks should be elite. They were top five in offensive rating last season, and with Luka and Kyrie having a full offseason to build chemistry, I expect them to be even better. The key will be ball movement and cutting. Too often last year, the offense devolved into Luka or Kyrie going one-on-one while everyone else stood around. This year, with a better understanding of the system, I’m hoping to see more motion and player movement. That’s where guys like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Seth Curry can thrive. Hardaway is a streaky shooter, but when he’s hot, he can single-handedly win you a game. Curry, on the other hand, is just pure efficiency. His career three-point percentage of 43.5% is ridiculous, and he’s the kind of player who can space the floor without needing the ball in his hands.

Now, let’s talk about the big question: who makes the cut in the playoff rotation? In my opinion, the starting five should be Luka, Kyrie, Green, Williams, and Lively. That lineup gives you scoring, defense, and youth. But the bench is where things get interesting. I’d love to see Jaden Hardy get more minutes. The kid has a scorer’s mentality, and he’s not afraid of the moment. If he can improve his decision-making, he could be a Sixth Man of the Year candidate down the line. Then there’s Dwight Powell, who’s been with the team forever. He’s not the most talented big man, but his energy and screen-setting are underrated. In certain matchups, he’ll still have a role to play.

Of course, none of this matters if the team doesn’t stay healthy. Luka has had his share of nagging injuries, and Kyrie’s history isn’t exactly clean in that department. The Mavericks’ depth will be tested, and that’s why having a deep roster is so important. I think they’ve done a decent job addressing that, but if one of their stars goes down for an extended period, it’s going to be tough.

At the end of the day, this Mavericks team has the talent to compete with anyone. The foundation is there, and as Luka said, they now have a better understanding of what it takes to win. It’s not about reinventing the wheel; it’s about fine-tuning and attacking where they’re weak. If they can improve defensively and get consistent contributions from their role players, I see no reason why they can’t make a deep playoff run. Personally, I’m excited to see how this group grows together. There’s a different vibe around this team, and I think that’s going to translate to wins. The Western Conference is stacked, but the Mavericks have the pieces to make some noise. Let’s see if they can put it all together.