Mavericks Hope to Rebound After Tumultuous Offseason
The Dallas Mavericks enter the 2025-26 NBA season looking to move past a tumultuous offseason that saw the departure of franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić. After trading the All-NBA guard to the Los Angeles Lakers last year, the Mavericks are hoping a new era can bring renewed hope and success to the organization.
A Tragic Trade
The Dončić trade, which sent the Slovenian superstar to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis and a future first-round pick, was met with widespread criticism and outrage from Mavericks fans. Many viewed it as a short-sighted move that sacrificed the team's long-term future for an aging Davis, who has struggled with injuries in recent seasons.
"It's nearly a turn that couldn't be believable when written," said local playwright Jordan Brodess, who co-authored a new stage play titled "The Trade: a Tragedy in Four Quarters" exploring the aftermath of the deal. "To gather with a large crowd of people and, well, all laugh at [Mavericks GM] Nico Harrison. But also realize, we're kind of laughing at ourselves too."
Searching for a New Identity
With Dončić now in Los Angeles, the Mavericks are tasked with rebuilding their roster and finding a new identity. They used the draft capital acquired in the trade to select highly touted prospect Cooper Flagg, who many believe has the potential to develop into a franchise-altering talent.
"Dallas didn't just heal — they were reborn through Cooper Flagg," said Sporting News columnist Craig Larson Jr. "Some cynics won't buy into the hype, but the rookie's combination of skill, competitiveness and maturity suggests the Mavericks have landed a potential superstar."
The Mavericks will also lean heavily on the continued development of young players like Jaden Hardy, who inked a team-friendly extension last offseason. However, the decision to prioritize Hardy over more versatile options like Jalen Smith Jr. or Scottie Banton has drawn criticism, with some arguing it's already "haunting" the team.
Defensive Concerns Linger
One of the biggest question marks surrounding the Mavericks is their defense, which was ranked near the bottom of the league last season. NBA general managers recently expressed skepticism about the team's ability to improve on that end of the floor, a concern that new head coach Jason Kidd will need to address.
"The Dallas Mavericks' Defense is DISMISSED By NBA GMs," read a recent headline from WHAS11. "Anthony Davis & Cooper Flagg Will Prove Them Wrong."
TL;DR
- The Dallas Mavericks enter the 2025-26 season looking to move past a tumultuous offseason that saw the departure of Luka Dončić in a widely criticized trade.
- The team is hoping highly touted rookie Cooper Flagg can develop into a franchise-altering talent and help lead the Mavericks' rebuilding efforts.
- Questions remain about the team's defense, which was ranked near the bottom of the league last season and drew skepticism from NBA general managers.
- The Mavericks will also need to navigate the continued development of young players like Jaden Hardy, whose contract extension has drawn some criticism.