Mavericks at a Crossroads: Why Dallas Needs to Pick a Lane-Fast
Coming into the 2025-26 season, the Dallas Mavericks had reason to believe they were on the verge of something promising. Rookie phenom Cooper Flagg brought a wave of excitement, and a healthy Anthony Davis gave the roster a legitimate veteran anchor. Add in Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson, and on paper, this team looked like a playoff lock-or at least a serious Play-In contender.
But a 7-15 start has flipped that narrative on its head. And now, with updated win-loss projections slashing their expected total from 42 to 33, the Mavericks are staring straight into the NBA’s dreaded middle ground-the place no team wants to be.
The Danger Zone: Not Good Enough, Not Bad Enough
Here’s the problem: 33 wins likely means no postseason and no top lottery odds. That’s the worst-case scenario for a franchise trying to build around a young star like Flagg.
It’s one thing to miss the playoffs if you’re developing talent and loading up on draft picks. It’s another to miss the playoffs and miss out on a high pick.
That’s basketball purgatory.
And the Mavericks know it. This season is their best-and only-real opportunity to land another blue-chip prospect to pair with Flagg.
Dallas controls its 2026 first-round pick, but after that, they don’t have full control of another first-rounder until 2031. That’s a long time to wait for another shot at the draft lottery.
So if they’re going to pivot toward the future, this is the year to do it.
The Case for a Strategic Sell-Off
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about waving the white flag. It’s about choosing a direction and committing to it.
If Dallas leans into a rebuild, the blueprint is straightforward-move veterans who don’t align with the long-term timeline and give Flagg the keys. That means exploring trades for players like Davis and Daniel Gafford, both of whom have already surfaced in trade chatter.
Davis, with his age and injury history, still carries value for contenders looking to shore up their frontcourt. Gafford’s athleticism and rim protection could be attractive to teams needing a defensive boost.
Klay Thompson is another name to watch. He’s had flashes this season, but he’s also been inconsistent.
At his age, he’s chasing another ring, and Dallas may not be the place to get it. If there’s a market for him, the Mavericks would be wise to listen.
Then there’s Kyrie Irving. Coming off an ACL tear, there are questions about whether he’ll return to his previous form.
But for now, all signs suggest he’s staying put in Dallas. Whether that’s the right move long-term remains to be seen, but it’s clear the Mavericks aren’t eager to move him-yet.
The Flip Side: Can They Still Make a Run?
Of course, the season isn’t over. The Western Conference is deep, but not impenetrable.
A hot stretch could get Dallas back into the Play-In mix, and from there, anything can happen. The question is: *is that worth it?
If the Mavericks claw their way to a 10th seed and bow out early, they’ll likely end up with a late lottery pick-hardly the kind of asset that transforms a franchise. And for a team looking to build around Flagg, that’s a missed opportunity.
On the other hand, if they bottom out, they improve their odds of landing a top-five pick. That’s the kind of draft capital that could bring in another franchise cornerstone-someone who can grow alongside Flagg and reshape the Mavericks' future.
The Clock Is Ticking
This isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about identity. Are the Mavericks a team trying to compete now with aging stars, or are they ready to build something sustainable around their 18-year-old centerpiece?
Sitting on the fence won’t cut it. The worst thing Dallas can do is try to do both-push for wins while holding on to veterans who don’t fit the long-term plan. That’s how teams get stuck in the middle, and once you're there, it’s hard to climb out.
The front office has a decision to make, and they’ll need to make it soon. Trade deadline season is coming, and with it, a chance to reshape the roster in a meaningful way.
Whether it’s a playoff push or a pivot toward the future, the Mavericks need to pick a lane-and fast. Because if the current trajectory holds, they won’t just miss the playoffs.
They’ll miss the chance to build something lasting around Cooper Flagg. And that’s a risk this franchise can’t afford to take.