Regardless of getting again on monitor after a disastrous begin to the season, the Dallas Mavericks are nonetheless in danger. They might very properly nonetheless make the playoffs this season, which really can be a nasty factor given their distinctive scenario.
They solely personal one in every of their first-round picks between now and 2031. Because of this, they’ve the motivation to tank, however in response to The Athletic, they’re as an alternative seeking to compete this season.
Even after firing GM Nico Harrison and rumors swirling across the availability of star Anthony Davis, the Mavs appear lifeless set on making the playoffs this season. That doubtlessly means they preserve Davis, which implies taking their high commerce asset off the commerce block. Is Harrison nonetheless working behind the scenes or one thing?
Whereas it could be good to have the primary general choose, Cooper Flagg, get playoff expertise, that might come on the detriment of the workforce’s future.
The form of factor that feels actually good within the second and never so good in 2029 while you’re going into San Antonio for Sport 1 of a playoff sequence in opposition to a Spurs workforce with three or 4 All-Stars severely outgunned. https://t.co/zHWv5brJir
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) December 15, 2025
This 12 months’s draft is stacked on the high, with the highest three prospects every having All-Star potential.
The Dallas Mavericks could also be taking pictures themselves within the foot
As an alternative of angling to make the playoffs, the Mavericks are as an alternative angling to complete with one of many 5 worst data within the NBA this season. That might give them a good probability at a high three choose and an opportunity to pair Flagg with a star reminiscent of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, or Cam Boozer.
They headline the 2026 NBA Draft, and they need to every be on the Mavericks’ collective imaginative and prescient board. As an alternative, they’re chasing the tenth seed within the Western Convention and an opportunity to make it into the playoffs.
Even so, have been they even to make the playoffs, they might nonetheless doubtless be operating right into a buzz noticed within the first spherical in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. Sure, that may technically nonetheless imply that they made the playoffs, however would 4 straight blowouts actually be higher than a future star to pair with Flagg? Nah, no means.
The Dallas Mavericks should rapidly change course
The 2026 NBA Draft provides the Mavs their solely actual probability to construct by the draft. Their in-state rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, have been in a position to construct round Victor Wembanyama by utilizing the draft to pick out Stephon Fort and Dylan Harper.
In addition they used their stockpile of picks to commerce for De’Aaron Fox. The Mavs will not be capable of do something remotely related with their present technique.
As an alternative, they must rely solely on trades with out the good thing about first-round picks to maneuver. That makes the prospect of constructing round Flagg a lot more durable long-term and is an indication that the Mavericks do not know what they’re doing.
