Image Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

What Did Dallas Mavericks’ Preseason Reveal About Russell-Thompson Backcourt and Looming Perimeter Defense Problems?

Image Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

With preseason wrapped up and the Dallas Mavericks preparing to open the 2025–26 regular season against the San Antonio Spurs, one of the team’s most pressing concerns has already surfaced. Despite a 3-1 preseason record, the Mavericks’ perimeter defense looks vulnerable, particularly with D’Angelo Russell and Klay Thompson projected to start in the backcourt.

The issue was evident during Dallas’ lone preseason loss, a matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. In that contest, Charlotte made 16 three-pointers, with 10 coming from their primary creators, Collin Sexton, Miles Bridges, and LaMelo Ball.

Beyond the outside shooting, the Charlotte Hornets repeatedly exploited Dallas’ rotations, finding second-chance looks off offensive rebounds and slipping past the defense to finish at the rim. It was the only preseason game where the Dallas Mavericks faced a full-strength opponent, and it exposed the exact weakness many feared.

D’Angelo Russell was throwing straight dimes last season.

On media day Klay Thompson called DLo “such a great floor general,” stating that “he sees the game ahead of everybody else & is a very underrated playmaker.” pic.twitter.com/teLH7B3KSy
— i (@pgUNO_) October 3, 2025

D’Angelo Russell, now 29, brings size and awareness at the point of attack, but his lack of lateral quickness and physical strength has long been a defensive concern. Klay Thompson, at 35, was once among the league’s premier perimeter defenders, but age and injuries have reduced his mobility. While he can still lock in for stretches, he no longer provides the consistent versatility he once did.

Heading into training camp, there was some uncertainty about whether Thompson or P.J. Washington would claim the starting role. Jason Kidd’s decision to lean on Klay Thompson throughout preseason suggests the veteran will remain in the lineup. That choice, however, leaves the Dallas Mavericks exposed against elite guards and wings who thrive off dribble entry and shot creation.

Bench Options and Missing Pieces

The Mavericks do have potential solutions off the bench. Max Christie, Naji Marshall, and Caleb Martin all offer defensive energy and could help stabilize the perimeter when rotations tighten. Still, with Russell and Thompson expected to log heavy minutes until Kyrie Irving returns, the starting unit may continue to struggle against quicker backcourts.

The absence of Dante Exum looms large in this equation. Exum, sidelined indefinitely with a knee issue, was one of Dallas’ most reliable perimeter defenders last season. Without him, the Mavericks lack a natural stopper to throw at opposing playmakers, and the early schedule could magnify that gap.

While preseason results are rarely strong, the Hornets game provided a glimpse of what could become a recurring problem. Against lesser rotations, the Dallas Mavericks managed to secure three wins, but those contests offered little insight into how the team will fare against playoff-caliber competition. The Hornets exposed the Mavericks’ inability to contain movement and close out effectively, raising questions about how sustainable the current backcourt alignment will be.

As the regular season begins, the Dallas Mavericks will need to find ways to mask its defensive shortcomings. Whether that means staggering rotations differently, leaning more on defensive-minded reserves, or hoping for Exum’s return sooner than expected, the Mavericks cannot afford to let perimeter defense become their undoing. The Spurs matchup will be the first true test of whether these preseason warning signs were nothing, or a preview of what’s to come.