It’s that time of year again when anything can happen in the NBA. Preseason is nearly over, and fans everywhere are predicting big things for their teams. It doesn’t matter whether a team had a losing record last season, missed the playoffs, or is dealing with injuries to key players — right now, everyone can still dream of a championship.

OKC is the reigning champ, and most of the best NBA online betting sites list the Thunder as favorites to repeat. No team has done that since Stephen Curry’s Warriors, but despite a more wide-open league landscape, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company remain the team to beat.

One of the teams expected to challenge this season is the Dallas Mavericks. After missing the playoffs a year ago — but only two seasons removed from a Finals appearance — Dallas is viewed as one of the Western Conference’s top contenders. The question now is whether the Mavericks’ resurgence can lead to a second NBA title.

The Worst of Times

It was one of the most unexpected blockbuster trades in recent memory. Luka Dončić didn’t want to leave — and initially thought the news was a joke — but the Mavericks’ franchise player was traded midseason, sending Anthony Davis to Texas. The former Laker didn’t appear thrilled with the move either.

Dončić eventually found his footing in Los Angeles, helping the Lakers finish third in the West before bowing out to a surging Timberwolves squad in the first round. Dallas, meanwhile, slipped past Sacramento to grab the No. 9 seed but fell to Memphis in the play-in. Any short-term payoff from the trade failed to materialize.

The Best of Times

Losing a player of Dončić’s caliber usually crushes a franchise’s title hopes. But something unexpected happened — everyone remembered how dominant Davis can be. His arrival, paired with Dallas’ existing talent, reignited belief in the team’s potential.

Then came the lottery. With only a 1.8% chance, the Mavericks jumped 10 spots to win the top pick — the biggest leap in lottery history. That guaranteed that generational prospect Cooper Flagg would join Dallas for the 2025-26 season, and suddenly the Mavericks were back in the championship conversation.

Key Players

A torn ACL is no longer a career-ending injury, but it’s still a major setback. Kyrie Irving suffered his in March, and even with his optimistic updates, it’s unlikely he’ll play a significant role early in the season.

That leaves Davis as the centerpiece, now playing in a role that maximizes his comfort and productivity. Paired with Flagg’s athleticism and drive, Dallas boasts two elite talents. D’Angelo Russell will shoulder more of the playmaking load in Irving’s absence, and recent depth additions should help balance the roster.

Will the New Mavs Click?

Landing Flagg was all it took for the most optimistic Mavericks fans to believe losing Dončić wasn’t catastrophic. But that belief also places immense pressure on the rookie to deliver immediately.

The roster’s construction could also pose challenges. With so many forwards and combo players, some will have to adapt to guard-like roles. That imbalance might determine whether Dallas contends for a top-four seed or scrapes through the play-in again. Building chemistry takes time — and this roster is still very new at its core.

Western Rivals

The Mavericks’ path to contention runs through a stacked Western Conference. The East may be open, but the West offers just as much parity and star power.

OKC should remain strong, while Kevin Durant’s arrival in Houston instantly elevates the Rockets. Denver remains a constant threat, Minnesota continues to rise, and both the Clippers and Grizzlies are capable of deep playoff runs. And of course, LeBron James could still write one final Hollywood ending with the Lakers.

NBA Champs in Waiting

Even after the first preseason win over OKC, the early championship buzz in Dallas has cooled slightly. Optimism remains, but most fans see this season as a stepping stone toward bigger things.

Those expecting an immediate title are betting on everything clicking right away — from Flagg’s adjustment to Davis’ health to Irving’s recovery. Injuries to key veterans like Davis and Klay Thompson could also shape the outcome.

Dallas should reach the playoffs if it stays healthy and Flagg makes a smooth transition to the pros. But the championship window might truly open a year or two from now. For now, the Mavericks look like a team on the rise, but not quite ready to seize the crown.