An NBA scout has raised serious questions about the Dallas Mavericks’ starting backcourt of D’Angelo Russell and Klay Thompson, describing it as a potential “disaster” on the defensive end, according to a report by Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com.
With Kyrie Irving sidelined due to an ACL injury, head coach Jason Kidd has turned to the veteran duo to anchor the team’s perimeter rotation. While both bring proven scoring and shooting ability, their combined defensive limitations have drawn skepticism from league observers.
Multiple scouts told DallasHoopsJournal.com that the pairing could struggle to contain quicker guards and maintain point-of-attack pressure. One evaluator was especially blunt, labeling the backcourt’s defensive outlook a “disaster” because of lateral quickness concerns and inconsistent on-ball coverage.
Kidd, however, has emphasized effort and situational adjustments. After a recent preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets, he noted Thompson’s competitiveness in a defensive assignment against LaMelo Ball. “Melo’s a little different because he can score and pass,” Kidd said. “But we thought looking at that tonight was something we needed to see. Making it tough on Melo isn’t easy — he’s gonna have the ball 90% of the time. But I thought Klay did a good job.”
The Mavericks’ coach added that Thompson’s defensive role will be managed carefully throughout the season. “He can still compete at that level at this stage of his career,” Kidd said. “We’re not going to ask him to do it every night, but tonight he showed he can compete.”
Russell’s offensive creativity and Thompson’s shooting make them a potent combination on paper, but the defensive fit remains uncertain. Both players have lost a step laterally in recent years, and neither is known for consistent defensive containment against dynamic guards.
The Mavericks’ defensive system will rely heavily on frontcourt support from Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, and Daniel Gafford, as well as improved rotations from wings like P.J. Washington and Caleb Martin.
Dallas will open the 2025–26 season looking to stay competitive in a Western Conference loaded with guard-heavy offenses, including those led by Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — all challenging matchups for a slower backcourt duo.
