Midseason Reality Check: Mavericks Flunk the First Half, But All Hope Isn’t Lost
We’ve hit the midway point of the 2025-26 NBA season, and for the Dallas Mavericks, it’s less of a report card and more of a red flag. Sitting at 18-26, the Mavs are staring down a “D” grade-one of the worst in the league-and it’s not hard to see why.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about underperformance. This is a team that’s been gutted by injuries and rocked by seismic organizational decisions, none bigger than the controversial trade that sent Luka Dončić packing.
That move alone sent shockwaves through the fanbase and left a massive leadership void on the court. Combine that with a string of injuries to key players, and it’s been a perfect storm of dysfunction in Dallas.
Injury Bug Bites Hard
Anthony Davis, the team’s marquee addition, has played well when healthy-but that’s been a rare luxury. He’s currently sidelined with a finger injury and won’t be reevaluated for another five weeks.
Kyrie Irving? Still out with a knee issue and no clear timetable for return.
Dante Exum and Dereck Lively II are both done for the season, with foot and knee injuries, respectively. That’s a brutal blow to a roster already lacking depth.
And let’s not forget: this was a team that entered the season with questions about how they’d manage minutes at center. Now, they’re scrambling to find any sort of reliable frontcourt rotation.
Flagg Shines Amid the Chaos
If there’s been one bright spot-and it’s a big one-it’s rookie Cooper Flagg. Thrust into the starting point guard role early in the season due to Irving’s absence, Flagg has not only held his own but emerged as the team’s most consistent and dynamic player. At just 19 years old, he leads the Mavs in nearly every major statistical category.
Once Dallas allowed him to slide into a more natural role, the results followed. His poise, court vision, and ability to create offense have been nothing short of impressive, especially considering the weight he’s carrying on such a depleted roster. Flagg isn’t just a silver lining-he’s the foundation for whatever comes next.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
While the record doesn’t show it, several role players have quietly made meaningful contributions. Max Christie has been a steady two-way presence, knocking down shots and guarding the perimeter with consistency. Naji Marshall has brought toughness and reliability, while young players like Ryan Nembhard and Moussa Cisse have shown flashes of promise in expanded roles.
These aren’t game-changers on their own, but in a season where stability has been hard to come by, their effort and availability have mattered.
Looking Ahead: Deadline Decisions and Long-Term Vision
With the trade deadline just over two weeks away, the Mavericks are at a crossroads. Do they make a push to salvage the season and chase a spot in the play-in tournament? Or do they start thinking long-term, reshuffling the roster to better complement Flagg’s development?
The current three-game win streak offers a glimmer of hope, and getting Irving back after the All-Star break could give them a late-season boost. But even with that, the hill is steep. Projections have Dallas finishing with just 33 wins-seven below preseason expectations and their worst mark since Luka’s rookie year in 2018-19.
So the question becomes: is it worth chasing a short-term fix, or is it time to start building toward something more sustainable?
Front Office in Flux
That decision ultimately falls on the shoulders of team governor Patrick Dumont, who’s still searching for a new general manager. Without that key leadership position filled, the Mavericks are operating without a clear basketball decision-maker-an issue that only adds to the uncertainty surrounding the franchise.
Right now, the warning signs are flashing. The injuries, the lack of depth, the absence of a long-term plan-this is a team in need of direction. And fast.
Final Word
It’s been a rough semester for the Mavericks. The grades are in, and they’re not pretty.
But this isn’t a lost cause. Cooper Flagg is the real deal, and there are pieces on this roster worth keeping.
The challenge now is figuring out which direction to go-and whether this front office has the vision and leadership to get there.
Because if Dallas wants to avoid repeating this class next year, the time to course-correct is now.