The Mavericks barely resemble the franchise that played in the NBA Finals less than two years ago.
Face of the franchise Luka Dončić was traded to the Lakers ahead of the 2025 trade deadline, and the star tasked with replacing him and elevating the team’s defense, Anthony Davis, barely played in Dallas—and was shipped off in another deal to the Wizards this season. The architect of the Dončić trade, Nico Harrison, lucked into the No. 1 pick, but didn’t get to see Cooper Flagg flourish as the next Mavs great, as he was fired in November, months after his deeply unpopular move. And now the franchise has parted ways with coach Jason Kidd, the latest seismic move for a franchise that has been completely overhauled in 2025–26.