The 2025-26 NBA season was absurd for the Dallas Mavericks. Trades, lottery luck, a GM dismissal and some serious licking of wounds defined the franchise over the last 12 months. Without a doubt, something needs to change, and it will. With the return of Kyrie Irving, who missed last season recovering from a torn ACL, and the addition of the impending ninth overall pick in the 2026 draft, the landscape for the Mavs is going to change. So what does that look like for the squad as it stands? Let’s assess the future of last season’s Mavericks starting five.
The Logical Future of the Dallas Mavericks’ Starting 5
Naji Marshall, Guard/Forward: Moves to the Bench
Basketball is slowly becoming a positionless game, and with the Mavericks being shallow at the point guard position, Naji Marshall gained a fair share of minutes at the one, as well as his natural wing position. A small forward by trade, Marshall was streaky this season, but when he got going, he could tear apart a defense seemingly on his own. Coming off a career high 15.2 points per game with 47 starts, “The Knife” may see his role changed, but his impact won’t.
He’s proven himself as a valuable scorer with six 30+ point games. With Irving returning, and speculation that the Mavs will pick a point guard in the draft, Marshall will likely light it up with the second unit when he checks in at small forward.
Max Christie, Guard: Depends on Who the Mavs Draft
Max Christie was silently the second-best player on the Mavericks this season. An astute defender and a consistent shooter, Christie has done nothing to warrant a demotion down the depth chart. However, his starting role could be in jeopardy if the Mavericks get a facilitator in the draft. Similar to Marshall, Christie may have to make way for the returning Irving, who is equally phenomenal as an off-ball guard as he is running the point.
It’s feasible that with such a deep draft class, the Mavs will want the ninth overall pick to make an immediate impact on the starting lineup, pairing the rookie with Irving in the backcourt. A trade is unlikely for Christie, who will be earning $8.2 million next year. It’s a small price to pay for such a valuable piece, and an asset that new President Masai Ujiri will be eager to retain.
Cooper Flagg, Forward: Remains a Starter
This is a real no-brainer. 2025’s first overall draft pick and the recently anointed Rookie of the Year, Cooper Flagg, has truly lived up to the hype. His defense is bordering on elite, and there are seldom records that he did not touch in his maiden campaign for the Mavs. Flagg will hold down his starting role for the Mavericks ad infinitum. As he transitions into a superstar and pieces come into place around him, his quality will steadily increase.
PJ Washington, Forward: Trade Him
Dogged, tough and reliable are the words that come to mind when you picture PJ Washington in a Mavericks jersey. A faithful servant to the franchise and a member of the 2024 team that won the Western Conference Finals, Washington has suffered from the lack of roster quality around him, and a parting of ways would be positive for both parties. He’s guaranteed north of $20 million in 2026-27, a big but workable salary when it comes to trade negotiations. He’s worth that much money, but not to the Mavericks.
There is a slew of wannabe contenders around the league that will likely view Washington as a missing piece to a playoff team. Freeing up cap space and getting some draft capital in exchange for his services would be a positive outlook for the Mavs, especially when there are a handful of cut-price replacements available in free agency.
Daniel Gafford, Center: Set a High Price Tag and See Who Bites
As an imposing, gritty and committed big man, Daniel Gafford will be a hot commodity in trade talks this offseason. Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic have created a necessity around the Western Conference when it comes to investing in big men. The Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors are all franchises that will be looking to capitalize on their talent next season, and all three can offer mounds of prospects and draft picks. After the May 30 crucifixion of Chet Holmgren against the San Antonio Spurs, there is also a chance the Oklahoma City Thunder could be looking to add some tonnage as they aim for redemption next year.
On the reverse, his $17.2 million guaranteed earnings next season are easy for the Mavs to eat while retooling. The Mavericks will need their own Wemby stopper in the near future, and Gafford has as good a shot as most. Deputizing the returning Dereck Lively II behind him, leaving the second option bolstered, is by no means a poor outcome for the Mavs. As long as they demand a high price, they have a great asset in Gafford, whether he’s traded or retained.
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