Don’t Be Fooled By Dallas Mavericks’ Double Big Setup Mark Cuban Says Team Will Still Fire Threes With AD And D Live
The Dallas Mavericks have always had a reputation for being one of the most entertaining teams in the NBA, a franchise that finds a way to reinvent itself depending on the roster construction and the vision of ownership and management. With Luka Dončić as the cornerstone superstar, the Mavericks have experimented with different offensive looks, searching for the right balance between firepower and defensive stability. Now, as they head into a new season, the focus has shifted to a bold experiment that could redefine how fans and analysts look at their style of play: the double-big setup featuring Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II.
On the surface, a lineup featuring two rim-protecting big men suggests a slower pace, a more traditional paint-oriented scheme, and a departure from the spacing and three-point heavy philosophy that has defined modern Mavericks basketball. But Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is adamant that this won’t be the case. He insists that the Mavericks will continue to launch threes at a high rate and that the keys to their offensive success will come not only from Luka Dončić orchestrating the offense, but also from Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively embracing a surprising role—stretching the floor and firing from beyond the arc.
“I literally think our season will go as well as D-Live and AD shooting threes,” Cuban said with a grin, putting to rest any notion that the Mavericks plan to abandon the perimeter in favor of a clogged paint approach. His statement raised eyebrows, but it also signaled a strategic gamble: if Davis and Lively can become credible three-point threats, Dallas may unlock one of the most versatile and unpredictable offensive systems in the league.
Anthony Davis has long been a player whose outside shot has teased both his coaches and fans. When his three-pointer is falling, he becomes virtually unguardable, capable of stretching defenses out of position and creating driving lanes not just for himself but for teammates. However, his career has been a rollercoaster from deep, with flashes of brilliance offset by extended cold stretches. In Dallas, Cuban and the Mavericks’ coaching staff seem determined to encourage Davis to let it fly consistently, betting that the confidence and spacing benefits outweigh the risks of inefficiency.
For Dereck Lively II, the storyline is even more intriguing. As a young center known primarily for his defense, rebounding, and rim-running ability, Lively isn’t the first player fans would associate with perimeter shooting. But modern NBA development programs have increasingly pushed big men to expand their range, and Cuban’s comments suggest that Lively has been hard at work during the offseason to add a three-point shot to his arsenal. If he can develop even a league-average corner three, he could transform from a traditional paint-bound big to a weapon that stretches defenses and keeps opponents guessing.
The Mavericks’ system under head coach Jason Kidd will certainly be tested by this philosophy. Last season, Dallas leaned heavily on Luka Dončić’s brilliance and Kyrie Irving’s shot-making ability, often relying on their guards to initiate and finish possessions. While it worked in stretches, opponents eventually schemed to force the ball out of Luka’s hands and dared role players to beat them. By empowering AD and Lively to shoot threes, the Mavericks are signaling that their offensive attack will be more diverse and unpredictable. Instead of a predictable two-man game between Luka and a pick-and-roll partner, the Mavericks could space the floor with five shooters—an arrangement that is extremely difficult to defend when one of those shooters is a dominant interior defender like Davis.
Of course, Cuban’s confidence doesn’t erase the skepticism that naturally surrounds such a bold proclamation. Davis has yet to prove he can sustain efficiency from deep over the course of an entire season, and Lively has little track record at the NBA level to inspire immediate fear from beyond the arc. Analysts are quick to point out that this gamble could backfire, resulting in wasted possessions and spacing breakdowns if the shooting experiment doesn’t pan out. But Cuban seems unfazed by the doubters, suggesting that the Mavericks are more concerned with creating a culture of confidence than conforming to traditional positional expectations.
The Mavericks’ fan base is also buzzing with mixed reactions. Some see this as a revolutionary step forward, a chance to build an offense that blurs the line between big and small ball, while others worry that the team is leaning too heavily on unproven skills. Yet, the excitement is undeniable, as this new setup promises to make every game a fascinating experiment in how far the boundaries of modern basketball can be pushed.
Beyond the shooting, the double-big alignment carries defensive implications as well. With Davis and Lively protecting the rim, Dallas could become a nightmare matchup on the defensive end, capable of shutting down drives and controlling the glass. This dual strength—defensive dominance paired with the potential for perimeter shooting—could give the Mavericks a balance that has eluded them in recent years. If their threes are falling, they can run opponents out of the gym. If not, they can still grind out wins with defense and rebounding.
Another layer to this experiment is how Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving will benefit from having two bigs spaced to the perimeter. If Davis and Lively are credible from deep, defenders will have to step out of the paint, leaving more room for Luka’s drives and Kyrie’s slashing creativity. In turn, that creates more opportunities for kick-outs to corner shooters, resetting the cycle of Dallas’ high-powered perimeter attack. It’s the kind of domino effect that could elevate the Mavericks from a good team to a legitimate title contender.
Cuban’s statement also reveals his willingness to take risks in pursuit of innovation. Throughout his tenure as owner, he has never shied away from trying bold strategies, whether it was embracing analytics early, reshaping rosters aggressively, or empowering stars with unconventional support. This new philosophy continues that tradition, daring the Mavericks to redefine what a “double-big” setup looks like in the NBA. Instead of two paint-bound bruisers clogging lanes, Dallas envisions two towering threats who can guard the rim on one end and step out for a three on the other.
The big question is consistency. It’s one thing for AD to knock down threes in November and for Lively to show flashes in practice; it’s another for both to do it consistently enough to influence opposing scouting reports. The Mavericks don’t need them to be volume shooters like Luka or Kyrie, but they do need them to hit at a rate that forces defenses to respect them. Even the threat of the shot can alter defensive schemes, and Cuban is clearly betting that the psychological effect of Davis and Lively firing threes will open up new avenues of attack.
As training camp progresses, eyes will be on AD and Lively during preseason games to see just how comfortable they look taking those shots. If they hesitate or pass up open looks, Cuban’s vision could crumble before it has a chance to take off. But if they confidently let it fly—even if the percentages aren’t perfect—the Mavericks could create a perception that shifts defensive attention and unlocks the rest of their offense.
For now, Cuban’s bold proclamation has become one of the most intriguing storylines heading into the new season. It reflects his belief not only in the talent of his players but also in the power of innovation to keep the Mavericks relevant in a hyper-competitive Western Conference. Whether this gamble pays off with wins and a deep playoff run, or backfires with inconsistency and frustration, one thing is clear: Dallas is committed to pushing boundaries rather than settling for convention.
In the end, the Mavericks’ 2025 season may truly hinge on the three-point shooting of two players most wouldn’t expect—Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II. Cuban’s confidence is contagious, and if his vision becomes reality, the Mavericks could very well shock the league with a unique blend of size, skill, and spacing. Fans may enter the season skeptical, but they will certainly tune in with curiosity, eager to see whether the double-big experiment becomes the NBA’s next great evolution—or simply another bold gamble in Mark Cuban’s long history of daring moves.
