The Dallas Mavericks are rolling into the 2026-27 season with a lineup that’s practically unrecognizable, as over half their playable roster has been completely revamped. With a little more than a month until opening night, the big question is who even makes the rotation for this radically different squad. This isn’t just a few tweaks either, we’re talking about a roster that feels brand new, stacked with six fresh faces who just got their jerseys.
The Great Mavs Roster Reset Is On
Think about it, a third of the entire roster is straight-up new to Dallas. We’ve still got familiar names like Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Caleb Martin, Max Christie, Dereck Lively II, Naji Marshall, and Moussa Cisse returning to the fold. But then you’ve got Tarik Biberovic, Sergio De Larrea, Morez Johnson Jr., Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser, and Zaccharie Risacher all trying to make their mark. Six new guys might not sound like a full overhaul, but when you factor in that Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II were non-factors last year, and Moussa Cisse was only on a two-way contract, suddenly over half the dudes who will actually hit the court are new this season. It’s a complete shift, and it’s not just the players, either. The Mavericks also brought in a brand new front office and coaching staff, adding another layer of unknown to the whole situation.
Dusty May’s Analytics Puzzle
The guy calling the shots now is Dusty May, and honestly, we don’t know much about him yet. What we *do* know is that he’s got a reputation as an “analytics darling.” He’s shown he can adapt his game plan to whatever roster he’s got in front of him, a talent that was clear from his time at FAU and Michigan. The biggest weaknesses for this Mavericks squad, even after the changes, are still shot creation and playmaking. They’ve improved a bit from last year, sure, but those areas still jump out. So, what’s May gonna do? Is he going to hammer down on those weaknesses? Or will he just lean into all the size and shooting they’ve loaded up on throughout the offseason? We’re all in the dark on those answers right now.
Who’s In and Who’s Out Day One?
Last year’s minute distribution gives us a starting point for who might actually see time on the court. Cooper Flagg led the way with 33.5 minutes per game in 70 appearances, followed by PJ Washington at 31 MPG over 56 games. Naji Marshall averaged 29.5 MPG in 74 games, and Max Christie was right there with 29.1 MPG across 77 games. Daniel Gafford got 21.7 MPG in 55 games. Now, for the surprises. Dereck Lively II, a guy you’d usually lock into a rotation, isn’t expected to be ready for opening night. He’s out, at least to start. And Caleb Martin? He’s likely starting the season on the bench too, mostly because his offense just isn’t there.
We’re just a month away from seeing how this new-look Mavs squad, led by Dusty May, actually hits the court. Get ready to see if these questions get answered right out of the gate.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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