The Revitalisation of the Dallas Mavericks
How have the Dallas Mavericks gone from rock bottom to one of the strongest NBA rosters?
It’s certainly been a rocky few seasons for Mavs fans, going from the NBA Finals to winning the lottery. Nobody could have predicted how the next few years would play out.
However, maybe this was all a blessing in disguise…
You see, after falling to the Celtics, the Mavericks would start the 24–25 campaign with an injury-riddled squad. Luka Doncic had played in 22 out of a possible 50 games before being traded; Dereck Lively, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford all succumbed to the injury bug. This saw the Mavs lose a total of 115 player games to injuries.
And of course, Kyrie Irving’s season-ending ACL tear, which ended all possible hopes of an Irving and Davis postseason run.
The derailment of the 24–25 season meant that, with some luck, the Mavericks would move up in the lottery. Overtaking some of the worst teams in the league, like the 18- and 17-win Wizards and Jazz. Allowing Nico Harrison to select Duke forward Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick.
On the contrary, Flagg was entering a team with championship-level aspirations. After all, through all the chaos that was the 24–25 season, Nico Harrison had built the perfect team that complemented Anthony Davis’s playstyle and preference to play with a centre. But also, a competitive environment which sought to challenge and better Cooper Flagg, and so it did. Winning Rookie of the Year and selected to the All-Rookie First Team.
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Even though the Mavs had little team success, the belief that they could win every game was shown through grit and a grind spirit down to the last game of the season. With Cooper Flagg scoring 51 points in the month of April, it is often seen as the month where two-way and G League players take more commanding roles on tanking teams.
Offseason acquisitions
If fully fit, last season’s roster would have had a strong chance at making the playoffs. However, that wasn’t the case. Therefore, team president Masai Ujiri had a lot to work with over the offseason. Some notable moves included.
Santi Aldama
On July 8th, 2026, the Mavericks acquired Santi Aldama from the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a six-team trade.
Aldama adds to the collective of solid rotational pieces the Mavericks have collected over the years. Aldama adds to a barrage of big men, averaging just under 7 rebounds last season. Making the Mavericks one of the best rebounding teams in the association.
His ability to space the floor also allows guys like Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall and Kyrie Irving to attack and put pressure on the rim. Making him useful in small-ball lineups or playing with another big man.
Zaccharie Risacher
The Dallas Mavericks acquired former first overall pick Zaccharie Risacher from the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal on July 19th, 2026.
Risacher went first overall in one of the weakest draft classes in quite some time. Eyebrows were raised, not because fans were shocked that he went number one. But because not much had been heard of him.
Risacher had a strong rookie season, averaging 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Finishing runner-up for Rookie of the Year, whilst also finishing first team all-Rookie. Showing more promise as an elite 3-D, rather than an All-Star/All-NBA type of player.
Last season, however, Risacher fell out of the Hawks’ rotation, with stiff competition on the wing. He started picking up DNPs, playing a total of three out of the six of the Hawks’ first-round playoff match-ups.
A new home seems like the best possible solution for the Frenchman, who will be hoping to impress new Mavs head coach Dusty May.
Authors note
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