Dallas opens camp with Dereck Lively II, Kyrie Irving and Santi Aldama all listed Day-To-Day, each targeting an Oct. 1 return. The Mavericks host Houston in their preseason opener on Oct. 9 and open the regular season at the Rockets on Oct. 21.
Three Names, One Date
Dereck Lively II, Kyrie Irving and Santi Aldama are all listed Day-To-Day, and all three carry the same estimated return of Oct. 1. That is nine days before Dallas hosts Houston in its preseason opener on Oct. 9, and three weeks before the regular season opens at the Rockets on Oct. 21. That leaves real questions over how camp reps get split among Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington and the rest of the frontcourt while three rotation pieces work back from those tags.
The Beat Is Watching the Frontcourt
The Smoking Cuban reported that Moussa Cisse needs minutes despite a crowded center rotation, and separately that Dallas is showing patience with Sergio De Larrea by making no further roster moves. The same outlet argued the Santi Aldama trade looks better now that AJ Johnson has been moved again elsewhere, while questioning Johnson's inclusion in the Anthony Davis trade in the first place. None of it changes the 20-man roster; it is commentary on decisions already made.
The Number That Matters
Last season's defense ranked 19th in the league at a 115.5 defensive rating, part of a -5.2 net mark that finished 22nd. Nico Harrison built this roster on the stated belief that defense wins championships, and Dusty May now inherits that mandate. Cooper Flagg's 21.0 points per game as a rookie covers one end; whether the retooled frontcourt can cut that defensive number is the question camp has to answer before Oct. 21.
When do the Mavericks open the 2026-27 season?
Dallas plays its preseason opener at home against Houston on Oct. 9, then opens the regular season at the Rockets on Oct. 21.
Which Mavericks are hurt entering training camp?
Dereck Lively II, Kyrie Irving and Santi Aldama are all listed Day-To-Day, each with an estimated return of Oct. 1.