The Dallas Mavericks are heading into 2026-27 with no shortage of intrigue, but one former NBA executive doesn’t see that turning into a playoff berth.
John Hollinger of The Athletic has Dallas finishing 11th in the Western Conference, slotting the Mavericks behind the Houston, New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, LA Clippers, and Sacramento Kings. He still has them taking a step forward - just not far enough, projecting a 36-36 finish that would leave them one game short of the Play-In Tournament.
That prediction lands at a time when the Mavericks have become one of the league’s most watched teams. Cooper Flagg is set to enter his second season after a historic rookie year, Kyrie Irving is back after missing the entire 2025-26 campaign while rehabbing a torn ACL, and the franchise has turned over its leadership with Dusty May taking over as head coach and Masai Ujiri stepping in as team president.
There’s also a new-look roster around that duo. Dallas added more three-point shooting, reshaped the point guard group behind Irving, and brought in more defensive versatility in the frontcourt. Even so, Hollinger isn’t sold that the mix is ready to jump back into the postseason.
“There’s enough talent to stay in the Play-In chase all season, and the long-term future is bright. But we might have to wait another year for a winning record," Hollinger wrote.
The biggest reason for optimism remains Flagg. His second season will be a major checkpoint for a Mavericks team hoping the youth movement and the veteran core can pull in the same direction. If Flagg is as advanced as many believe, Dallas should have a real shot to make the postseason push this year.
The Irving situation is another storyline that could shape everything. With Flagg on a different timeline than Irving, people around the NBA are expected to keep wondering whether the Mavericks would listen to trade offers for the veteran guard before the deadline. If Dallas is out of the race and Irving is healthy, moving him for draft capital could become the cleaner path for both sides.
The early schedule may tell the story quickly. Dallas opens its first six games against the Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, OKC Thunder, and the Rockets again - a stretch filled with teams projected to be in the playoffs.
A 3-3 start would at least keep the conversation grounded. Anything worse, and the trade chatter around the Mavericks figures to heat up fast.
In Other News...
Mavericks Keep Giving One Young Big Man Another Look
The Mavericks have spent the early part of camp cycling through the back end of their preseason roster, and the 21st spot has become a revolving door for a string of young players. Dallas has signed and waived Matt Cross, Darin Green Jr. and Chris Mantis along the way, a pretty clear sign the team is keeping its options open while sorting through developmental depth.
Jorge Diaz Graham is the latest big man to get another look, and there is at least some indication the Mavericks want to keep him around for a while. The broader picture is familiar for this time of year: Dallas is auditioning prospects, while other teams are making similar housekeeping moves, including the Clippers bringing back Fletcher Loyer on an Exhibit 10 deal and the Jazz opening a spot after waiving Mohamed Wague. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Gave This Stretch Big A Real Chance To Earn More
The Mavericks gave Jorge Diaz Graham a real look this preseason, signing the stretch big and assigning him jersey No. 23 after he spent summer with the team. He had already shown enough in Las Vegas to keep himself in the conversation, flashing shooting touch and the kind of forward-center versatility that can make a young big useful in a modern rotation.
Now the challenge gets sharper with only the final two preseason games left to make another impression. Diaz Graham is still competing against the rest of the camp bodies for limited opportunities, but there is at least a path to a two-way contract if he can keep standing out in the minutes he gets. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Just Made Their Two-Way Wing Battle Even Tougher
The Mavericks added another name to the mix on the wing, signing 6-foot-7 forward Matt Cross and bringing their preseason roster to 21 players. Cross is expected to be around for the teams final two preseason games, giving Dallas one more look at a player whose appeal comes from activity, rebounding, energy and a workable shot.
For a roster still sorting out its depth, Cross only adds to the pressure on the clubs two-way wing competition. His spot in the regular-season picture is far from settled, but the signing does increase the number of options Dallas has on the perimeter as the preseason winds down and decisions get closer. [Read more 🡒]