Jason Kidd: Mavs to Start Derrick Jones Jr. & Dante Exum When Kyrie Irving Returns

Mavs coach Jason Kidd revealed the team's plan to deploy Dante Exum and Derrick Jones Jr. in the starting lineup alongside Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Dereck Lively II.

PHOENIX — As the Dallas Mavericks continue to test different lineup combinations, the team moved Grant Williams to the bench lineup for Monday's matchup against the Phoenix Suns. The team opted to start Tim Hardaway Jr. in his place despite Kyrie Irving not yet returning to competition. 

When Irving is back in the fold, the Mavs will deploy a starting lineup that includes him, Luka Doncic, Dante Exum, Derrick Jones Jr., and Dereck Lively II. 

After Saturday's blowout victory over the San Antonio Spurs, coach Jason Kidd confirmed that Exum would start next to Irving and Doncic to field a three-guard lineup to maximize the threats to break double teams. 

"Speaking of trying to keep three ball handlers on the floor to start, especially with the way that we've seen the double teams, with Luka being able to have not just Kai but Dante out there to make decisions," Kidd said on Monday. 

Jason Kidd Reveals Mavs’ Plan for Dante Exum Starting Next to Luka & Kyrie

With Lively being an obvious starter at the center position, Jones will round out the rest of the starting group instead of Williams. Kidd feels that particular groups are a positive combination overall but can thrive attacking with ball movement, given the ability of Exum and Jones to attack closeouts.  

"I think looking at Jones in that starting group when you look at when those guys have been on the floor, I don't have the numbers, but I can probably go out on a limb and say they're a plus," Kidd said on Monday. "When you talk about those five on the floor, what Lively, D. Jones, and then two stars, but also the basketball IQ is high, and then the ball movement, being able to play in a flow and play off of one another is also kind of nice to watch."

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Kidd praised the defensive impact Jones provides the Mavs for routinely taking on tough assignments, whether it's the best guard or wing the opposition relies on to make plays. 

"On the defensive end, you have Lively at the center who can change shots, but again, I think Derrick Jones Jr has to get a little bit more credit for his defense here," Kidd said on Monday. "I know it's early, but he takes the challenge of the best wing or point guard on a nightly basis. And I think he does a really good job in that situation."

While some may not view Exum as a wing or have a specific label for Jones, Kidd believes fielding lineups is about matchups and skill set, as opposed to a rigid label. 

"The position is disappearing; it's about the basketball player in the matchup," Kidd said on Monday. "And so to say power forward or point guard, we have guys who are seven feet playing point guard, we got one at 6-foot-9 that runs the show. I just think that it's the best group that fits, defensively and offensively, that you want to get out there as much as possible."

Mavs 1-on-1 Interview: Dante Exum on Improved Shooting, Defensive Strategies & More

Deploying Exum gives Dallas a big guard who embraces picking up full-court, fighting through screens, and taking on tough assignments. Exum playing alongside Jones gives the Mavs the option to interchange how they are operating, making them a versatile group that can embrace throwing out different coverages and matchups.

“He's guarding the best perimeter or one of the best wings," Kidd said on Saturday. "When you look at what D. [Derrick] Jones is doing for us, he's guarding one of the best wings or the point guard. Those two just flip-flop, and they've done a really good job of defending for us. It gives us a big guard and a big wing, and those two are doing it for us right now.”

Entering training camp, Doncic, Irving, and Williams were regarded as the only confirmed starters the team intended to deploy. There was a need to figure out the rest, with Lively later taking over at center as the clear-cut defensive anchor and lob threat on the roster. Jones and Williams were opening-night starters on the wing, but as opponents adjust, Exum will take over in that role.