Mavs projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
Dallas Mavericks starting power forward: Grant Williams
Grant Williams ended up in Dallas on a bargain four-year, $54 million contract after his free agency period dragged out longer than expected. The funky market post-CBA probably impacted Williams, but he represents a massive rotation upgrade for the Mavs.
Most importantly for Dallas, Williams is a proven entity in the playoffs. He was in and out of the rotation for Boston in May, but the Celtics were abnormally deep. The Mavs, not so much. Williams is an obvious day-one starter who should thrive in his new capacity next to Doncic and Irving.
He is, in many ways, the ultimate modern role player. At 6-foot-6, Williams can guard all over the floor. His strength allows him to wage war in the post and he’s light enough on his feet to guard the perimeter on switches. He’s also an extremely intuitive player on both ends. Defensively, it manifests in spritely hands and razor-sharp instincts. Williams reacts quickly to what’s happening around him and is seldom out of place. Even if he’s not elite on the ball, he’s so fundamentally sound and high-energy that he will have a pronounced impact on the Mavs’ defense.
Offensively, Williams has transformed himself from a mediocre shooter to one of the best spot-up shooters in the NBA. He lived in the corner for Boston and should find similar opportunities off of kick-outs from the Mavs’ talented playmakers. Williams is also tremendous as screen partner and roll man. He can power his way to the rim for finishes or catch and make a rapid-fire pass from the middle of the floor. He processes the game rapidly and should provide invaluable connective tissue for Kidd’s offense.
Primary backup power forward: Maxi Kleber
The Mavs’ big-man situation wasn’t great last season and, newsflash, it won’t be great next season either. That said, there’s something about the reliable modernity of Maxi Kleber’s game that makes him feel like a dependable option here.
He’s the pinnacle of fine. Kleber isn’t a great defender, but he’s light on his feet with enough size and strength to get in people’s way. At 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds, he can oscillate comfortably between the four or five spot depending on team needs. There’s absolute value in that. On the offensive end, he hovers around league average as a 3-point shooter. The rim finishing was putrid last season and he doesn’t provide as much rebounding value as you’d like from a player with his frame, but the Mavs essentially need Kleber to fill the gaps in the frontcourt. He can.