Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Why Dallas Mavericks Struggle Defensively Despite Improvements And How Jason Kidd’s Backcourt Choices Complicate Things

Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Through five games of the regular season, the Dallas Mavericks are still searching for the defensive identity that general manager Nico Harrison envisioned. Missing their three highest‑paid big men has played a role, but the issues extend beyond the frontcourt. The perimeter defense has been inconsistent, leaving Dallas in the middle of the pack defensively.

Recent outings have shown improvement, particularly on the perimeter, but head coach Jason Kidd faces a pressing decision. Fans have called for more shot creation by inserting D’Angelo Russell into the starting lineup alongside Klay Thompson. While this pairing could ease Thompson’s shooting slump by generating cleaner looks, the defensive trade‑off is hard to ignore.

The shortcomings of D’Angelo Russell and Klay Thompson as a defensive duo are well documented. At 35, Thompson no longer has the quickness to stay in front of faster guards, often struggling in pick‑and‑roll situations and one‑on‑one matchups. Russell, meanwhile, has never been known for his defense. Though he occasionally makes smart reads off the ball, he remains a liability at the point of attack, even more so than Thompson.

Klay Thompson this season:

5 PTS – 1 REB – 1 AST
8 PTS – 4 REB – 2 AST
10 PTS – 4 REB – 3 AST
8 PTS – 4 REB – 1 STL
10 PTS – 2 REB – 1 AST

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— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 30, 2025

Mavericks Face Tough Choices in Backcourt Rotation

That leaves rookie Cooper Flagg with the responsibility of handling some of the league’s quickest creators. At just 18, Flagg has shown effort and athleticism, though he is still developing. His presence offers promise, but Mavericks are trying to win now, and the lack of consistent playmaking in the starting unit remains a concern.

If the offensive void continues to hurt the Mavericks, Kidd may need to explore alternatives. One option could be reducing Klay Thompson’s role and starting someone like Max Christie, who brings more defensive stability. Brandon Williams is another possibility, offering stronger defense than D’Angelo Russell and potentially more offensive balance depending on the matchup.

Until Kyrie Irving returns, the Dallas Mavericks must find a way to balance shot creation with defensive reliability. Thompson’s shooting struggles make it difficult to justify an offense‑first approach, especially when the team has recently found success with defensive‑minded wings like Christie, Caleb Martin, and Naji Marshall.

Cutting into their minutes to accommodate a Russell‑Thompson backcourt could undo the progress made in recent games. The Mavericks’ path forward hinges on Kidd’s lineup choices. Prioritizing defense has shown results, but leaning too heavily on Russell and Thompson together risks exposing the team’s weakest point.