DALLAS — As the Dallas Mavericks continue to navigate how to approach lineups and strategies amid various vital players being sidelined, there is more clarity for the starting lineup around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving when healthy.
Irving has remained sidelined due to a right heel contusion since Dec. 8, but once he returns, the Mavs plan to continue starting Dante Exum alongside him and Doncic. The plan was revealed after Exum recorded 20 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in the Mavs’ blowout victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, improving the team’s record to 6-3 in his starts. “What he’s done is put himself as a starter, and we’ll keep him as a starter,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said of Exum.
“If we’re healthy tomorrow, he’s going to start with Kai and Luka.” Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports Among the core philosophies of deploying Exum alongside Doncic and Irving is to maximize the number of threats that can make plays with the ball, particularly to get into the paint for a finish or draw the commitment from the help defense to create a clean shot for a teammate.
It becomes much more challenging for a defense to load up on any particular option while being able to recover sufficiently, especially when the team utilizes any combination of them in on or off-ball screening to leverage the gravity of their superstars. “When you have three ball handlers, I think we’ve figured that philosophy out,” Kidd said.
“That ingredient of having three playmakers out there makes the game easier for Kai and Luka and puts a lot of pressure on their defense. To have Exum out there, it helps.”
Throughout the season, Exum has continued to be a fixture in pushing the pace for the Mavs, who continue to aim to push the pace.
Having three dynamic options to bring the ball up after grabbing a rebound or forcing a turnover makes any unit all the more impactful, especially with the level of talent involving two reigning NBA All-Star starters like Doncic and Irving.
“Yeah, I think one of the things we’ve been saying from the start of the season, since training camp, is that we want to play faster,” Exum said.
“I think that gives us an opportunity, not just having guys that can dribble the ball up, but guys that are primary ball-handlers that know how to start an offense, create an offense, and can get in the paint and create for others. I think that’s really beneficial for our team.” Any perimeter player slotting in alongside Doncic and Irving must be prepared to handle one of the two most challenging on-ball defensive assignments.
Exum does so, whether he’s tasked with picking up full-court, being aggressive in getting through screens or handling switching assignments. Kidd praised Exum’s impact on that end and how Derrick Jones Jr. has dealt with those responsibilities. “He’s guarding the best perimeter or one of the best wings,” Kidd said. “When you look at what D. [Derrick] Jones is doing for us, he’s guarding one of the best wings or the point guard.
Those two just flip-flop, and they’ve done a really good job of defending for us. It gives us a big guard and a big wing, and those two are doing it for us right now.”
Exum has prioritized making an impact in the nuances of the game, whether he’s crashing the boards from the corner for an offensive rebound, cutting in the gap of a defense, or setting quality screens in small-small actions, he’s provided a strong impact.
Whether starting or coming off the bench, Exum remains focused on making the most of his playing time. “It doesn’t matter if I’m starting coming off the bench,” Exum said.
“I think for me, it’s always going to the game with the same mindset. Obviously, it’s nice to start and be rewarded with that, but I want to go in and win every game and play as hard as I can.
As long as I’m on the court, I’m able to do that.” After beginning the season in a limited role, Exum has made the most of receiving extended minutes. He’s further elevated his impact in December while playing 31.1 minutes per game, averaging 16.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists.
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