The Dallas Mavericks backcourt is basically a revolving door right now, and if you haven’t checked the box scores in a week, you’re probably already behind. For years, "point guard for Dallas Mavericks" meant exactly one thing: Luka Dončić doing everything while everyone else watched. But as we hit the mid-point of the 2025-26 season, that reality has shattered into a million pieces.
Luka is gone. Yeah, you read that right. In one of the most seismic shifts in NBA history, the face of the franchise was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving a vacuum in North Texas that's been filled by a mix of high-upside rookies, injured veterans, and "wait, he's on the team?" journeymen.
Who is actually running the point in Dallas?
Right now, the depth chart looks more like a triage unit. Kyrie Irving, who was supposed to be the veteran stabilizer after the Luka trade, is currently sidelined with a torn ACL. He’s been out indefinitely, and while he’s active on Twitch and popping up at New York Fashion Week, he isn't helping the Mavs break a full-court press anytime soon.
With Kyrie out, the point guard for Dallas Mavericks duties have fallen into the lap of a very unlikely trio:
- Brandon Williams: He’s been getting the bulk of the minutes lately, putting up a respectable 11.8 points and 3.7 assists per game. He’s gritty, but is he the long-term answer? Probably not.
- Ryan Nembhard: The undrafted rookie out of Gonzaga (and brother of the Pacers' Andrew Nembhard) has been a bright spot. He recently dished out 12 assists in a single game, showing the kind of pure floor general vision the Mavs desperately need.
- D’Angelo Russell: Signed in the summer of 2025, Russell was supposed to provide scoring punch. Instead, he’s been in and out of the lineup with various ailments, averaging about 10 points on efficiency that makes Mavs fans miss the 2011 championship run.
Then there is the Cooper Flagg factor. The Mavs landed the #1 overall pick in 2025, and while he's technically a forward, Jason Kidd has been experimenting with him as a "point-forward." At 6'9", Flagg is leading the team in scoring (18.8 PPG) and handles the ball more than any of the traditional guards.
The Kyrie Irving Dilemma
It’s kinda messy. Kyrie signed a three-year, $118 million deal just before things went south. Now, with the Mavericks sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference at 15-26, there’s a massive internal debate: do you even bring him back this year?
Noah Weber of The Smoking Cuban recently pointed out that every loss makes a Kyrie return less logical. If the season is already a wash, why risk a 33-year-old’s knee just to chase the 12th seed? The smart money is on the Mavs "slow-rolling" his recovery to ensure he's 100% for the 2026-27 campaign—or to keep him healthy for a potential trade.
What happened to the defense?
Honestly, the transition from Luka to this current guard rotation has been brutal for the team's identity. When you have a point guard for Dallas Mavericks who isn't a 6'7" powerhouse, the defensive schemes have to change.
Dante Exum was supposed to be the defensive stopper in the backcourt, but he’s out for the season with a knee injury. This has forced Jaden Hardy and Max Christie into roles they aren't quite ready for. The result? Dallas has the 28th-ranked offensive rating in the league. Without a primary creator to collapse the defense, the "Luka-style" heliocentric offense has devolved into a lot of contested mid-range jumpers.
The Anthony Davis Ripple Effect
You can't talk about the Mavericks' guard play without mentioning the frontcourt. In the same deal that sent Luka to LA, the Mavs landed Anthony Davis. But AD is currently out until at least March with a finger injury.
When AD is on the floor, the job of the point guard for Dallas Mavericks becomes infinitely easier. You just throw it near the rim and let him work. Without him, Brandon Williams and Ryan Nembhard are forced to create something out of nothing, which is why you see the Mavs struggling to break 110 points most nights.
Misconceptions about the "New" Mavs
A lot of people think the Mavs are "tanking." That’s a bit of an oversimplification. You don't trade for Anthony Davis and sign Klay Thompson (who is still grinding out 11 points a game) if you’re trying to lose. The problem isn't effort; it's fit.
The current roster is a Frankenstein’s monster of three different eras:
- The "Win Now" Vets: Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving.
- The "Rebuild" Kids: Cooper Flagg, Dereck Lively II (out for season), Ryan Nembhard.
- The "Bridge" Guys: P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford.
When your primary ball handlers (Kyrie and Luka) are either in a different jersey or a knee brace, the whole system collapses.
Actionable Insights for Mavs Fans
If you're following the team's trajectory, here is what you actually need to watch for the rest of the 2026 season:
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- Watch Ryan Nembhard’s Assist-to-Turnover Ratio: If he stays above a 3:1 ratio, he might be the backup PG of the future. He's currently one of the few players actually moving the ball.
- The February 5 Trade Deadline: Keep an eye on D’Angelo Russell. With a player option for next year, the Mavs might try to move him to a contender for draft assets or a sturdier defensive guard.
- The Cooper Flagg Usage Rate: If the Mavs continue to let Flagg bring the ball up the court, they are essentially auditioning him for the "Point-Flagg" role long-term.
- Don't expect a Kyrie miracle: Unless the Mavs go on a 10-game winning streak in late January, expect the team to be "cautious" with his return timetable.
The position of point guard for Dallas Mavericks is in a state of flux that the franchise hasn't seen since the mid-90s. It’s no longer about one superstar doing everything; it’s a desperate search for a functional floor general who can stay healthy long enough to let Cooper Flagg become the star he's destined to be.