Even from the opposite sideline, Doc Rivers sees plenty of reason for optimism in Dallas. Before Monday’s matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Dallas Mavericks, the veteran head coach was asked about the attention surrounding the Mavericks since the trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February. Rivers said the noise is natural — and deserved.
“They should be [a talking point],” Rivers said. “Getting Cooper, waiting on Kyrie to come back healthy — they remind me of a college football team ranked number one but missing their quarterback. They’ll be a good basketball team. They just have to weather the storm. The whole Luka thing just doesn’t go away — and it won’t. That’s a rough one.”
Dallas Mavericks’ Pivot in Real Time
Nine months after the blockbuster deal that brought Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick to Dallas in exchange for Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris, the Mavericks are still navigating the transition.
The team entered Monday’s game at 3–7, dealing with injuries to Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II while leaning on Cooper Flagg — the 18-year-old No. 1 overall pick — to shoulder a larger role than most rookies face.
Flagg has averaged 13.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists through his first 10 games, showing flashes of all-around impact. Davis, meanwhile, has played only a handful of games due to a left calf strain.
Despite the record, Rivers said there’s no reason for panic, comparing the Mavericks’ situation to that of a powerhouse team temporarily short-handed.
“They’ll be a good basketball team,” Rivers reiterated. “They just have to weather the storm.”
A Veteran Perspective
Rivers has coached through numerous rebuilds and transitions — from Boston’s championship era to Philadelphia’s process years — and said the key for franchises in flux is staying patient and not letting narrative dictate direction.
“When you make deals, you live with them,” Rivers said. “Whether they’re good or bad, you’ve got to live with them.”
For Dallas, that means continuing to define its identity around Anthony Davis’ leadership, Cooper Flagg’s growth, and Jason Kidd’s defensive foundation.
The Mavericks, once centered entirely around Dončić’s brilliance, are now balancing a new timeline — one that Rivers believes can still succeed with health and stability.
“It’s not about what happens in November,” he said. “It’s about what kind of team you are when it matters.”
Latest Dallas Mavericks News & NBA Rumors
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