Cooper Flagg is not just going to take a step up this year; he is going to take THE step. This guy is projected to become a top 15 player in the NBA, and that’s not just hype, folks. We’re talking 25 points, eight rebounds, five assists per game, plus a steal and a block. That kind of jump defines the Dallas Mavericks as they storm into year two of the Flagg era with some serious renewed fire.
Balancing Win-Now With the Future Star
The Mavs are rolling into this season with a tricky tightrope act. On one side, you have pure “win-now” components: Kyrie Irving is back after a horrible injury from a year and a half ago, and if he can get back to form, Dallas will have two top-25 players on the court. That combo of Flagg and Irving is gonna be a scrappy, fast-paced nightmare for opponents. Head coach Dusty May is out to prove himself, and Masai Ujiri is all-in on competitive basketball. But hold up, because Ujiri has also been talking a *lot* about focusing on a future built entirely around Flagg. How do you balance that? It’s going to be a wild ride. A lot will hinge on how the Mavs look over the first three months, how satisfied their vets are, and ultimately, what is best for Cooper Flagg.
The Roster Shake-Up and Big Expectations
Beyond the Flagg-Irving dynamic, the Mavs have made some key moves and are getting some big pieces back. Dereck Lively will be returning at some point, and Daniel Gafford is ready to ride a healthy ankle into the starting center role. They’ve brought in rookies Morez Johnson Jr. and Sergio De Larrea to beef up that young core around Flagg. P.J. Washington and Naji Marshall are locked in to provide veteran wing minutes, and they’ve added Marcus Sasser and Santi Aldama to the mix. Sure, they lost Klay Thompson, but the overall picture has analysts buzzing. Last season, the Mavs went 26-56 and missed the playoffs. This year? The over/under for wins is set at 33.5. David from the MMBets crew is taking the over on that, projecting a push to the play-in. While this roster might not be built for a deep playoff run *as currently constructed*, the belief is they will absolutely have a better regular season than many anticipate. They’re predicted to finish third in the Southwest division, behind Houston and San Antonio. But hey, in any outcome, we’re getting something we haven’t seen in almost two seasons: fun basketball.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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