An Optimistic Offseason to Look Forward to
The Dallas Mavericks were definitely on the hot seat for most of the 2024-25 season after their injury struggles prevented them from rising to the top of the Western Conference – especially after reaching the NBA Finals last year. There was fuel added to the fire when Luka Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, which was the blockbuster trade that no one expected to begin with.
At first, it does seem that the Dallas Mavericks lost the trade. After all, Doncic was supposed to be their franchise star and would have likely retired with them had he not been packaged in the deal. However, with the Lakers losing in the first round and the Mavs nearly making it to the playoffs, one can simply shrug off that this is a big win.
Perhaps the biggest win that has kicked off this entire discussion is the fact that the Mavericks have just won the NBA Draft Lottery. They are bringing in the 2025 NBA Draft’s first overall pick, much to the chagrin of the tanking teams in the league that didn’t have any stars to gamble with.
Now, it seems that the tide is favoring the Dallas Mavericks, and it would be foolish not to see this as a prime chance for the Mavericks to win it all once more.
Nico Harrison Redemption Arc
Well, after all the criticism that he’s earned over the managerial decisions he made for the Mavericks, it does seem that Dallas GM Nico Harrison is right about one thing. He is definitely gearing the Mavericks for the future and is armed to the tooth with the way fate has been starting to favor them.
At this point, it is safe to say that Harrison is turning up the engines for Dallas to win its first league title since 2011, and this is the perfect chance for the team to bring themselves into that prime position now more than ever.
How is Dallas Winning to be a Contender for the 2025-26 Season?
There are multiple discussions as to how the Dallas Mavericks are now primed to be contenders for the 2025-26 season. Despite all the talk that the Mavs would not actually win without Doncic, the traction for the team seems to be quite promising enough that they are likely to position themselves as contenders moving forward.
Last Five Seasons of the Dallas Mavericks
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for the Dallas Mavericks over the last five NBA seasons. From Finals heartbreak to missing the playoffs entirely, the team has experienced nearly every shade of postseason fate. But despite a disappointing end to the 2024 – 25 campaign – falling short in the Play-In Tournament against the Grizzlies – there’s a compelling case to be made that the Mavs are quietly setting the stage for a serious leap next season.
NBA history is full of teams that suffer a disappointing year right before breaking through. Think of the 2020 – 21 Bucks, who flamed out in the bubble before storming to a title the next season. The Mavericks have that same underdog bounce-back potential – especially with Luka entering his prime and lessons learned from the sting of unmet expectations.
Trading for the Lakers Payouts for Respective Teams
Let’s face it. At this point, it is safe to say that the Dallas Mavericks have won that trade for Luka Doncic in exchange for Anthony Davis.
In NBA history, trading a generational talent often marks the beginning of a rebuild – but for some teams, it opens the door to something even greater. We’ve seen this pattern before. In 2011, the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) dealt Chris Paul to the Lakers and ended up with the No. 1 pick – used to draft Anthony Davis. Fast forward to 2019, and history repeated itself: trading Davis to the Lakers landed New Orleans another top pick, this time selecting Zion Williamson.
Now, in a strikingly similar turn, the Dallas Mavericks may have positioned themselves to follow that same path. Enter Cooper Flagg.
Flagg, widely projected as the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, is a franchise-altering talent. A 6’9” forward with elite athleticism, defensive instincts, and a two-way game that already has NBA scouts salivating, Flagg is seen not just as the best prospect in years – but perhaps a cornerstone player in the mold of a young Kevin Durant or even a more versatile Jayson Tatum.
The Mavericks Young Core (Age+Salary)
Despite the headlines often revolving around their star power and front-office moves, the Dallas Mavericks have quietly assembled a surprisingly youthful roster with strong developmental upside. Their current core includes six players aged 24 or younger, each bringing a unique skill set and manageable contract. Dereck Lively II (21) has already shown flashes of elite rim protection and rebounding potential, earning starter minutes on a rookie-scale deal.
Max Christie (22) adds versatile perimeter defense and growing offensive confidence, while Jaden Hardy (22) is carving out a role as a microwave scorer with impressive shot creation for his age. Olivier-Maxence Prosper (22) and Kai Jones (24) offer athleticism and switchability, though both are still refining their games. Even Kessler Edwards (24), though currently without a locked-in salary, has shown flashes of 3-and-D value.
What makes this group especially intriguing is their cap-friendly salaries – most under $7 million – giving Dallas flexibility to build or pivot in the future. For a team often defined by its superstar moves, the Mavericks now have a foundation of youth that could develop into key rotation pieces or trade assets. This isn’t just a team with one eye on the present – it’s one quietly preparing for long-term success.
Can Dallas Actually Translate Predictions to Success?
The Dallas Mavericks, once the target of widespread criticism for trading away franchise icon Luka Doncic, now find themselves in a compelling position to contend in the 2025 – 26 NBA season. With the acquisition of Anthony Davis, a near playoff berth, and the golden ticket of the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft – likely to be used on phenom Cooper Flagg – Dallas has rapidly turned a controversial move into a potential dynasty reset. This franchise didn’t just survive the post-Luka transition; it’s laying the groundwork for something far greater.
What makes the Mavericks’ outlook even more promising is their impressive blend of veteran experience and youthful energy. Their roster features a collection of young, high-upside players on team-friendly contracts, giving Dallas the rare flexibility to develop talent while maintaining financial space for future moves. Players like Dereck Lively II, Max Christie, and Jaden Hardy are growing into dependable pieces, setting the stage for an organic rise, especially with a no. 1 pick coming in hot as well.
Ultimately, Dallas is no longer just playing for damage control – they’re building toward dominance. With a re-energized front office, a lottery win that could bring in a franchise-altering talent, and a young core that’s both skilled and affordable, the Mavericks are well-positioned to re-enter the title conversation. If their offseason lives up to expectations, 2025 – 26 could be the year Dallas transitions from a redemption story to a serious championship threat.
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