The Cooper Flagg era begins Wednesday night when the Dallas Mavericks host the San Antonio Spurs to open the 2025-26 season.
As Dallas begins its first full season post-Luka Doncic, the Mavericks are built to win immediately with their core group of veterans like Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson and their group of young players like Flagg, Dereck Lively II and P.J. Washington. Can that blend of veterans and young stars mean big things are ahead for Dallas this season?
See what a few national experts from other outlets think of the Mavericks this season.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger
Mavericks
Prediction: 41-41, 9th in West; Postseason? Play-in
The Athletic’s John Hollinger still seems rather low on the Mavericks after the Luka Doncic trade, calling Dallas “the least deserving lottery winners in NBA history,” though he is big on the return. He calls Cooper Flagg “the real deal” and a future All-Star.
Hollinger: “The biggest decision Dallas has made so far has been something of a non-decision: to continue trying to win with the team it has rather than cash in its Anthony Davis stock to more fully rebuild around Flagg.
“Without Kyrie Irving, this is likely to be something of a “gap” year for Dallas, similar to what Indiana and Boston are doing, except the Mavs should be more competitive and make the Play-In because of Flagg and Davis.”
NBA.com’s John Schuhmann
Prediction: 8th in West; Postseason? Playoffs
Most of Schuhmann’s NBA.com cohorts have the Mavericks as a fringe playoff team in the West, though Schuhmann thinks the standings could come down to an intriguing matchup between Dallas and San Antonio.
Schuhmann: “The Mavs and Spurs feel like the biggest wildcards in the West. Dallas could dominate with defense and rebounding or struggle with a lack of perimeter talent around their stacked frontline. If Victor Wembanyama makes a big leap offensively, the Spurs could rise with him.”
Yahoo! Sports’ Kurt Helin
Prediction: 9th in West; Postseason? Play-in
Helin thinks the Mavericks show promise … once the calendar flips to 2026, at least. He predicts a ninth-place finish but for Dallas to heat up late with a healthy Kyrie Irving.
Helin: “The front line of Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg and Dereck Lively is one of the best in the NBA – this is a long, athletic team across the board. Once Kyrie Irving returns midseason (think 2026, but there is no timeline), the Mavericks quickly become a team capable of making a late push up the standings, the team nobody wants to see in a playoff series.”
USA Today’s Lorenzo Reyes
Prediction: 38-44, 10th in West; Postseason? No
Another expert who’s more hopeful about the Mavericks’ future than about their 2025-26 season, projecting the Mavs to finish six games under .500.
Reyes: “They would get a massive boost if Kyrie Irving returns before the end of the season, but the future does look promising for the Mavericks. Overall No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg should bring versatility and play-making ability, though it’s safe to wonder if Anthony Davis will hit an eventual decline.”
As Mavericks enter first year post-Luka, they’d better win big with their new formulaP.J. Washington embracing whatever role Mavericks, Jason Kidd throw at him this season
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