Dallas Mavs Will Continue Starting Lineup Experiment Around Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving

Plenty remains to be determined about the Dallas Mavs' starting lineup around superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving entering the regular season.

DALLAS — After returning from an international preseason trip that spanned 12 days and multiple continents, the Dallas Mavericks have one preseason game remaining while still needing to establish a complete starting lineup.

The Mavs entered training camp with three confirmed starters: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Grant Williams. It appears likely that rookie Dereck Lively II will begin the season as the starter at the five. Who will start on the wing to complete the group remains to be determined.

After the Mavs' preseason loss to Real Madrid in Spain, coach Jason Kidd acknowledged that Lively has done "everything" to start, while Olivier-Maxence Prosper will come off the bench to begin the season. 

"Look at what Lively has done here on this trip. He's doing extremely well starting with the starters," Kidd said. "He's doing everything to start. We're probably going to bring O-Max off the bench if the season was to start tomorrow."

The Mavs started Josh Green in their second matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he has come off the bench in two of the team's three preseason games. While Green remains an option, the coaching staff must get creative to entertain alternative options. 

The Mavs intend to test various lineup combinations ahead of Friday's preseason finale against the Detroit Pistons. With Luka Doncic already ruled out as he recovers from a left calf strain, there will be plenty of options for experimentation. 

"We're going to continue to look at some different combinations because of health, and we'll see which one we'll use for opening night," Kidd said after Monday's practice. "We probably look at Friday, rolling out some different guys starting, and we'll go from there."

Derrick Jones Jr. poses for his Dallas Mavericks Media Day photos / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

As reported by NBA insider Marc Stein, Derrick Jones Jr. is among the options "in contention" to potentially start after playing his way into consideration. Along with preseason standout Dante Exum, both veteran newcomers were praised by Kidd for their impact on and off the floor, with their understanding of the game being described as very helpful.

"They've been great for newcomers, both on and off the floor," Kidd said of Dante Exum and Jones. "Off the floor with their teammates, interaction has been high, and then on the floor — their length and understanding of how to play the game has been very helpful. They've had a great camp up to this point."

One possible concern that stands out with Jones as a starter is the potential spacing limitations posed by deploying him next to Lively, who tends to play in the paint. Kidd is confident that Jones' ability not only to serve as a rim roller but described his current status as a 3-point shooter as capable. He is coming off a season shooting a career-best 33.8 percent from deep but did so on 1.3 attempts per game. For his career, he's shot 168-551 (30.5 percent) from deep, including postseason play.

The benefit the Mavs see from utilizing Jones begins with the defensive versatility he provides the defense. Standing at 6-foot-6 with a wingspan spanning 7 feet, he has physical tools as a defender that can provide off-ball versatility and switching potential and remains a threat to run the floor. 

"I think when you look at Derrick, he can be in the pick and roll. He can roll and shoot the three,' Kidd said of how Jones fits with Lively. "He's capable from the three-point line, but he understands how to play, then just the versatility to switch and athleticism. That's something that we haven't had. He definitely helps."

Lively's long-term potential as a perimeter shooter has been well noted since his impressive showcase from deep at his Klutch Sports Group Pro Day during the pre-process. However, it's unlikely to be integrated into his NBA repertoire at the start of his NBA career. As a result, Jones' willingness to let it fly from deep will be almost as important as his consistency in knocking those shots down.