For the last handful of years, NBA teams have found success by going small with their lineups, but it looks like the Dallas Mavericks are gearing up to try the opposite. The Mavericks have built their team on size this summer, and after re-signing P.J. Washington to a massive extension recently, it appears they could test out a lineup unlike anything the NBA has seen before. Veteran NBA insider Marc Stein thinks it's only a matter of time.
“I do think that at some point that the starting lineup will be tested at some point with Cooper (Flagg) at the two and P.J. (Washington) at the three," Stein said. "I feel pretty strongly about that.”
The Mavericks likely won't be the only team to test out a jumbo lineup. The Milwaukee Bucks, after a busy summer, have put together a roster that could rival Dallas' in terms of size. In a league where versatility is king, having different lineup combinations cannot hurt, but the Bucks simply cannot use a jumbo lineup as the new norm. It certainly cannot be a starting lineup.
Only the Mavericks could pull off bonkers jumbo lineup
If the Mavericks test out a jumbo starting five, it would likely include D'Angelo Russell, Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Anthony Davis, and either Derrick Lively II or Daniel Gafford. Russell would be the lone guard of the bunch, as well as the only player under 6-foot-7. That much size and length would be a problem for opposing offenses, as the defense could be formidable. All of those players, sans Russell, can switch defensively and take on different assignments nightly.
Milwaukee's version of this would likely include Kevin Porter Jr., Kyle Kuzma, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, and Myles Turner. That lineup has clunky written all over it. Dallas' lineup isn't perfect, but it would likely fit better than Milwaukee's potential unit.
While Giannis and Turner can hold things down defensively, Portis certainly isn't at his best when he's guarding someone smaller. He would constantly get caught in mismatches. Kuzma has shown glimpses of strong defense, but his offensive fit here would be tough to digest. Porter's ability to space the floor adequately remains up in the air, as he's always been hot and cold.
It would be particularly strange to see this lineup deployed when the Milwaukee Bucks have crafted their identity around surrounding Giannis with four other athletic shooters. They have the personnel to throw a lineup that fits that description onto the floor every single possession of every game if they desire. That's what they must buy into, rather than this type of philosophy.
While they likely won't go all-in on the jumbo lineup, the jury is still out on whether Kuzma will start at small forward next to Giannis and Myles Turner. Doc Rivers clearly believes in Kuzma, so it wouldn't be shocking if that's the route he took. Even that might be problematic and too big of a lineup.
The Milwaukee Bucks' ideal starting five may involve going small, starting AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr. at the two and the three. Two big men are fine, but when a third - and certainly a fourth - get involved, problems may arise for a team that wants to play fast, versatile, and fluid on both sides of the court.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.