What the Mavs Head Coach Needs to Change Before the Season Slips Away
The Dallas Mavericks are approaching a crucial point in the 2025-26 NBA season. Now, head coach Jason Kidd is facing pressure to turn things around. With the Mavericks sliding in the Western Conference standings, it’s clear that major adjustments are needed before the season slips out of reach. From lineup changes to bench rotation shifts, Kidd must take decisive action to fix the Mavericks’ growing list of problems.
A major issue holding the Mavericks back is their lack of reliable bench scoring. Dallas has struggled to generate energy and production when their starters rest, a problem Kidd has openly acknowledged. To fix this, Kidd must expand his trust in the younger players on the roster rather than relying solely on veterans struggling with consistency. Players such as Max Christie and other developing bench wings deserve a larger role. Christie, in particular, brings defensive energy and shooting upside, doubling his career average with 12.8 points a game this season, two areas the Mavericks have been lacking. By expanding the rotation and giving bench players consistent minutes, Kidd could inject much-needed rhythm and intensity into second-unit stretches.
By adjusting the rotation philosophy, Kidd can change the trajectory of the season. A recurring criticism of Jason Kidd has been his rigid rotation patterns. Even in games where certain players struggle, Kidd often sticks with preset substitution patterns instead of responding to the flow of the game. This rigidity has cost the Mavericks momentum and contributed to their late-game collapses. Kidd must adopt a more flexible approach, rewarding hot hands, extending productive lineups, and shortening the leash on underperforming veterans.
Injuries to key stars like Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving have only amplified the Dallas Mavericks’ struggles this season. Davis has dealt with a string of lower-body setbacks and short-term absences that disrupt his rhythm and limit his defensive impact. Irving, meanwhile, is set to miss a majority of this season with an ACL tear recovery, preventing the Mavericks from maintaining any continuity in the backcourt. The absence of both players, whether for a few games or in the form of restricted minutes, has forced Dallas to constantly reshuffle rotations, rely heavily on inexperienced depth pieces, and move away from their ideal offensive structure. With two of their most important veterans in and out of the lineup, the Mavericks have struggled to establish chemistry, close games, and maintain stability, making their slow start even harder to overcome. The Mavericks’ talent is still there. Yet, without strategic adjustments, smarter rotations, more dynamic lineups, and a willingness to empower the bench, Dallas risks letting another season drift away. If Jason Kidd wants the Mavericks to climb back into playoff contention, the time to adapt is right now.
