“We’ll Be Near the Top of the Conference Going Into the Playoffs:” Dallas Mavericks Exec Makes Bold Prediction for Next Season
NBA reporter Keith Smith of Spotrac spoke to a Dallas Mavericks front executive at Summer League in Las Vegas and the exec made a bold prediction for next season.
The Mavericks will be led by Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson and Cooper Flagg until Kyrie Irving returns from his left ACL tear.
“We love AD and we feel like we’re in a good position to have a great team moving forward. With better health this year, we’ll be near the top of the conference going into the playoffs. That’s the goal,” the Mavericks front office executive said.
The Mavericks missed the playoffs last season after making the NBA Finals in 2024. General manager Nico Harrison did the unthinkable in February, trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Davis and Max Christie.
Dallas had the first overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft and selected Flagg, who averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in college.
“It pays to be lucky, right? Dallas got a generational talent when those lottery balls bounced their way,” an Eastern Conference GM told Smith. “That kid is unbelievable. You knew after he played like crap in the first game out here that he was going to be great the next time out. He’s an ass-kicker. Wish we had that kind of luck.”
After drafting Flagg, the Mavericks signed D’Angelo Russell, who played with Davis and Christie on the Lakers. Russell will start at point guard next season until Irving gets back.
“We had to get a guy who could play in place of Kyrie while he’s out. But that guy also needed to play with Kyrie too. We feel like DLo fits that perfectly. We also like that he can shift off the ball with Cooper handling the playmaking too,” a Mavericks coach told Smith.
It will be fascinating to see how the Mavericks fare next season. Fans of the team are certainly excited to see Flagg play alongside Davis and Irving.
Latest NBA News & Rumors
- NBA Trade Idea Sends Portland Trail Blazers’ Jrue Holiday to Los Angeles Lakers
- NBA Rumors: GM Admits It’s ‘Possible’ Lakers’ LeBron James, Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Get Traded This Offseason
- NBA Rumors: James Harden Signed Off on Los Angeles Clippers Signing Chris Paul Despite Not Having ‘Greatest Relationship’ With Him on Houston Rockets
- NBA News: Chris Paul Signs $3.6 Million Deal With Los Angeles Clippers
