What happened: Dallas enters the upcoming season with limited contingency behind Irving and uncertainty surrounding Lively. Aldama, Johnson, Risacher and Sasser project into roles previously occupied by Middleton, Bagley, Thompson and Williams.
Why it matters: Irving missed all of 2025-26 following ACL reconstruction, making his availability central to the Mavericks' offense. Dusty May has said he plans to lean on Irving's leadership, while Lively's health could shape the frontcourt rotation.
By the numbers: Irving missed all 82 games in 2025-26. Lively played seven games before undergoing season-ending right-foot surgery.
What to watch: Training camp will clarify Irving's workload, Lively's availability and how Dallas distributes minutes behind them.