What's The Mavs Starting Lineup? 'No Idea,' Admits Rookie Coach Dusty May

DALLAS - The Dallas Mavs are approaching the start to their NBA preseason - they play against the Houston Rockets on Oct. 9 at The Venetian Arena in Macao, and then the regular season starts Oct. 21 at Houston.

But as far as another meaning of the word "start'' is concerned?

That's about all we know.

And it's about all new coach Dusty May knows as well.

 "I have no idea at this point,'' May conceded a few days ago.

That's going to have to change, obviously, and some things we do actually know. 

We know about Cooper Flagg. We know about Kyrie Irving.

But what the first-year coach is saying is that the fulll five-man lineup will be an ongoing question with this team for a bit ... and maybe it remains in a state of change for the long-term as well.

Dallas has 20 players in camp; that's one issue that needs to be worked out.

Meanwhile, May said he is aware of the understandable speculation online about who is running with the first group.

“Obviously, I’m on social media,'' he said. "I’ve seen about the first team and second team. We haven’t really settled into that now. We’re more or less looking at two- and three-man lineup combinations, one- and five-man lineup combinations.

"So anyone that has any speculation on the first five and the second five, please let me know because I have no idea at this point. We’re going to keep trying. Yeah, please let me know.”

May isn't trying to be sarcastic, and honestly, the Mavs organization should be thankful "social media'' actually cares about such things, given the fact this club is trying to rebuild after a dismal 26-win season in 2025-26.

The coach said he is "pleasantly surprised with how these guys are problem-solving and working together. They look like they really enjoy passing and sharing the ball, which is always a great sign.''

But at some point - soon - it's May who will have to do the "problem-solving.'' Eventually, it really should come down to which combos best set up Rookie of the Year Flagg for success ... and everything else can trickle down from there.

Said May: "We’ll learn more about ourselves, and that way, how long can certain guys play well effectively? Other guys play better after they’ve been in for an extended period. Some guys need shorter bursts.

"So we’re trying to learn all of those things about our guys now and throughout the preseason especially.”

That learning process is ongoing. But the tests are approaching - quickly.