"They're pretty stacked" - Dirk Nowitzki thinks healthy Dallas Mavericks are poised for a deep playoff run

The Dallas Mavericks had a rough ride in the 2024-25 NBA season. Between not making the playoffs and trading Luka Doncic, it has been tumultuous for the organization — and Dirk Nowitzki has certainly been watching.

Dallas was competing for the NBA throne against the Boston Celtics in 2024, its first finals appearance since Nowitzki led the team there in 2011. The Mavericks were poised to become a finals contender again, but to no avail. Instead, they ended the regular season in 10th place with a 39-43 record, earning them a spot in the Pay-In Tournament. They lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, officially wrapping up their rocky season.

However, things are starting to look up for the team as they prepare for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA campaign. With the addition of No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg and a few significant offseason moves, they are once again primed to give other teams a run for their money.

Nowitzki believes the Mavericks can make a deep run but stresses that to do so, they need to be healthy.

“I think they’re pretty stacked,” the 2011 champion said. “I’ve been saying the last few weeks – to me, it all depends on health.”

Crucial roster moves

The biggest decision the Dallas front office made during the offseason was selecting Flagg as first overall pick in the 2025 draft. Flagg is expected to be a key piece to the roster with his offensive and defensive versatility as a 6-foot-9 athletic winger.

During the offseason, Kyrie Irving declined his player option and signed a three-year, $119 million extension. He is expected to return by January 2026 after tearing his ACL in March, ruling him out for the rest of the 2024-25 season.

With him out for a few months, D’Angelo Russel has some pretty big shoes to fill at the point guard position. Russel, signed to a $13-million deal, is Dallas’s latest addition.

There is more optimism in Dallas with All-Star big man Anthony Davis healthy. However, Davis, part of the package that sent Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, is still recovering from eye surgery, casting minor doubts on his return by the season opener.

Derek Lively II is also recovering from surgery for his right foot bone spurs, but the big man is projected to suit up at the start of training camp.

Dallas’s mission to stay healthy

The work is cut out for the Mavericks. With proper coaching and leadership from Jason Kidd, the team is more than ready to make a deep playoff run.

Irving is on his way to recovery. Lively and P.J. Washington are great role players. Davis, provided he stays healthy, still has star power at 32 years old and can hold up the frontline and guide the young Flagg. They also have veteran presence in sharpshooter Klay Thompson.

Nowitzki is optimistic that Dallas has enough depth to keep up with the tough Western Conference, especially with Flagg’s skill set.

“If they stay healthy, I think that’s a very deep team…They can play multiple ways with Cooper’s versatility on the wing,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of lineups he can go with. The front line is stacked — it should be really good defensively with that length that they have, the athleticism.”

“To me, it’s all about health and if they’re healthy they could have a good year in the West,” the NBA all-time great said. “The West is tough as we know, but if they’re healthy, it’s going to be a great season for them.”

Dallas does not have the champion team it had a year ago with Doncic gone, but should the Mavericks play their cards right, they can once again make a serious run for the NBA summit this season.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

“They’re pretty stacked” – Dirk Nowitzki thinks healthy Dallas Mavericks are poised for a deep playoff run

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