It’s been almost 10 years since the Dallas Mavericks’ worst season in this century, and some scars still linger on. During the 2017-18 season, the team posted its lowest win rate in history, and the vacillating start to the 2025-26 brought old ghosts back. More complicated still, the team has to work around injuries to some of its top players, leading to key absences such as Dereck Lively and Kyrie Irving.
Recent results have sparked fears that adding Cooper Flagg to the squad may not be enough to get the Mavs back to winning. Even though the 2024-25 season ended surprisingly well for the Mavs, about a year later, the squad is back to needing to reinvent itself to move upward on the table. Here’s how the team plans to do it in 2026.
Rebuilding the Game
Those who put their money on the Mavs recently were, most probably, unlucky. It’s been only 19 victories in 54 games since the beginning of the season. Even a Bitcoin keno game would offer better odds. Bitcoin keno games have return-to-player (RTP) rates of up to 92%, depending on the game type. Since its dynamics are pretty close to bingo, it’s a beginner-friendly option for everyone. Besides, Bitcoin keno allows for micro betting, meaning that it’s possible to have a lot of fun and risk very little.
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However, not all analysts are pessimistic; indeed, some believe that everything will be fine for the Mavs. After all, now the team has Cooper Flagg, the team’s newest star addition, and everybody’s main hope. He’s a scoring machine, averaging over 20 points per game. Even during that painful eight-game-long losing streak, Flagg managed to keep his average at 29.7 points.
What Changes – and What Remains
Business is business, but when Dallas signed Luka Dončić’s trade with the Lakers, part of the team’s identity went away with him. Now, Dončić averages 32.8 points per game, points that are sorely missed in Dallas. Flagg is delivering a pretty similar average (though there’s still room for improvement), but the absence of the injured players is having a massive influence on recent results.
Amid so many changes, the Mavs were able to keep Jason Kidd, who has just signed a multi-year contract extension. It’s understood that Dončić’s move has caused shockwaves across the team. Dallas seems to have opted to keep Kidd for seasons to come to ensure stability as the new squad settles in, as most newcomers will become free agents next year.
So far, Cooper Flagg has shown that he’s capable of impressive scoring bursts, but the team still needs structure and a vision for its future. Regarding new drafts, here are the most relevant additions so far.
Malaki Branham
Malaki Branham joined the team in February 2026 and will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. He’s as young and fast as Flagg and, surely, a great acquisition. Branham is dangerous in any position, giving a much-needed flexibility to the squad. He may not be a top scorer, but he can reliably put out 10 points per match.
Khris Middleton
Like Branham, Khris Middleton will become an unrestricted free agent next year. It’s unclear how long he’ll stay on the team, since he plays in Flagg’s position, which is obviously taken. Middleton’s age (34yo) also suggests he won’t be in for the long term, as his career prospects won’t match the team’s. Still, Middleton was a key player at the Milwaukee Bucks, where he spent most of his career.
Marvin Bagley III
Marvin Bagley III may not have lived up to the hype of his first draft, back in 2018. Yet, the Mavs are willing to give him a chance, which makes him one of the most surprising acquisitions so far. He’s slightly older than Branham or Flagg, but, being himself under-30, it’s impossible to label him as “old”. Marvin Bagley III is 27 now and could be a great long-term fit, and even a potential replacement for David Gafford in the short term.