Dallas Mavericks 2026 Potential Lineup with Cooper Flagg Anthony Davis Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell Sparks Championship Dreams
The Dallas Mavericks have undergone a complete transformation in just a short span, and their projected 2026 lineup reads like something out of a basketball fan’s dream. For years, the franchise lived in the shadow of Luka Dončić’s brilliance, yet now, as the team turns a new chapter, it finds itself armed with both veteran champions and rising stars. This potential starting five is a fusion of experience, leadership, and youthful promise, a blend that could put the Mavericks right at the forefront of title contention in the NBA’s new era. Looking at the names—D’Angelo Russell, Klay Thompson, Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II—it’s impossible not to imagine the chemistry, balance, and sheer depth this group could bring to the court. Add in a bench packed with valuable role players and a former All-Star in Kyrie Irving, even if sidelined by injury, and suddenly Dallas looks like a team that has both stability and explosiveness to compete for championships.
The Mavericks’ backcourt begins with D’Angelo Russell at point guard. Russell has long been recognized as a crafty scorer and playmaker, but with this lineup, he doesn’t need to shoulder the offensive burden alone. His ability to operate as both a facilitator and a secondary shooter makes him an ideal fit. Surrounded by elite talent, Russell’s passing vision can flourish, and he’ll have the freedom to exploit mismatches without being forced into the role of a primary star. Sharing the backcourt with Klay Thompson elevates the dynamic to a new level. Thompson, though older, remains one of the most feared shooters in basketball history. Even as his athleticism has slowed with age, his catch-and-shoot precision and championship pedigree are invaluable. The presence of Thompson ensures that floor spacing will never be an issue, and his off-ball movement continues to keep defenses scrambling. For a Mavericks team aiming to dominate in 2026, a veteran like Thompson provides poise, leadership, and big-game experience.
The real spotlight, however, falls on Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks’ prized rookie and franchise cornerstone for the future. Slotted at small forward, Flagg represents a new era of basketball in Dallas. His versatility is extraordinary—able to defend multiple positions, facilitate offense as a point-forward, and score both inside and out. What makes Flagg even more valuable is his unselfishness and maturity beyond his years. He doesn’t have to force his game into the lineup; instead, he complements the stars around him while gradually carving out his dominance. With players like Davis and Thompson absorbing attention, Flagg will often find himself with opportunities to attack weaker defenders, showcase his shot-making, and bring the kind of energy that electrifies both teammates and fans. The Mavericks have put immense expectations on his shoulders, but his all-around game suggests he could thrive as the bridge between the veteran championship window and the long-term future.
At power forward, Anthony Davis brings a defensive anchor and a two-way presence that reshapes the Mavericks’ identity. Known as one of the greatest big men of his generation, Davis thrives when he isn’t forced to carry an offense entirely on his own. With Russell, Thompson, and Flagg all capable scorers, Davis can focus on excelling in his most dominant roles: rim protection, rebounding, and being a versatile inside-out scorer. His ability to defend across multiple positions makes this lineup especially dangerous, allowing Dallas to switch freely on defense without giving up too many mismatches. When healthy, Davis is a top-10 player in the league, and pairing him with young big Dereck Lively II creates one of the most intimidating frontcourts in basketball.
Speaking of Lively, his rapid development has made him one of the most promising centers in the league. Anchoring the Mavericks at the five spot, Lively has already proven to be a rim-protecting force, capable rebounder, and an efficient finisher around the basket. What makes his presence so critical to this lineup is how seamlessly he fits alongside Davis. While Davis prefers to roam defensively and switch onto wings or guards, Lively holds down the paint as a traditional shot blocker, deterring drives and cleaning up second-chance opportunities. Offensively, he doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact. His pick-and-roll game, combined with lob-finishing ability, adds another dimension to Dallas’ already potent offense. With Flagg and Davis drawing defenders, Lively often finds himself in prime position to score easy baskets, making him the perfect complement to the star-heavy lineup.
Beyond the starting five, the Mavericks boast a bench that could rival some teams’ starting units. P.J. Washington brings flexibility as a stretch forward, capable of spacing the floor while providing solid defense. Daniel Gafford offers another rim-protecting big, ensuring that the Mavericks don’t lose interior presence when Davis or Lively rests. Naji Marshall and Max Christie add wing depth, giving the Mavericks defensive versatility and energy off the bench, while Caleb Martin, known for his fearless play in big games, provides scoring punch and hustle in critical stretches. And then there’s Kyrie Irving. Even if injuries have sidelined him in this projection, his presence on the roster still looms large. Should he return to health, Irving could be a game-changing piece, whether as a sixth man or occasional starter. If not, his role transitions into that of a mentor for Flagg and the younger core, sharing wisdom from his championship experiences.
This Mavericks team is more than just names on paper—it’s a carefully constructed balance of star power and role players, youth and experience, offense and defense. The spacing provided by Thompson and Washington ensures Davis and Lively can operate inside. The defensive versatility of Flagg, Davis, and Lively makes it incredibly tough for opponents to exploit weaknesses. Russell’s playmaking ties it all together, while Flagg’s rise could very well determine how far this group can go. In a league where superteams often falter due to chemistry issues or injuries, Dallas’ mix of veterans who have already proven themselves on the biggest stages and a rookie phenom hungry to establish himself is a unique recipe for success.
Fans in Dallas have every reason to be excited. The Mavericks haven’t been this deep, this balanced, or this dangerous in years. For too long, the weight of success rested solely on Luka Dončić’s shoulders, and while his departure marked the end of one chapter, it also opened the door to a reimagined Mavericks future. Cooper Flagg symbolizes that future, but he doesn’t stand alone. Surrounded by champions like Thompson and Davis, skilled playmakers like Russell, and young defensive anchors like Lively, Flagg is in the perfect environment to grow into a superstar while helping lead Dallas to immediate success.
The Western Conference is never an easy battlefield. Teams like Denver, Phoenix, and Oklahoma City continue to rise, while powerhouses like Golden State and the Lakers always loom large. But in 2026, the Mavericks could be the team with the deepest and most intriguing combination of talent. If health holds and the chemistry gels as expected, this Dallas squad has the potential to not only compete but dominate. The vision of Russell orchestrating the offense, Thompson knocking down threes, Flagg making all-around plays, Davis controlling both ends of the floor, and Lively patrolling the paint is enough to send a message across the league: the Mavericks are back, and they mean business.
By 2026, championships won’t just be dreams in Dallas—they’ll be expectations. This lineup is designed to win, to inspire, and to redefine the Mavericks’ identity. From the veterans chasing one more ring to the young stars carving their path, the Mavericks look ready to write their next great chapter, and it could very well end with a parade through the streets of Dallas.
