RSS Mavericks Team Notes

[Dallas Mavericks]

Jason Kidd didn’t just go off. He might be letting go.

DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 14: Head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks stands prior to a game against the Denver Nuggets at American Airlines Center on January 14, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Jason Kidd’s F-bomb tirade drew national attention for obvious reasons. NBA coaches rarely go full scorched earth on the media, even when they clearly want to. The presser clip circulated widely, elevated by the sheer novelty of the language. And in a league wired for viral reaction, most commentary stopped there: the outburst itself, the profanity, the volume knob turned up.

But the real story isn’t what Kidd said.

It’s when he said it.

Because if you watch the clip closely, this wasn’t bravado. It wasn’t a man flexing over having “been right” about Cooper Flagg. It sounded like a man who doesn’t expect to be in Dallas much longer—and may not want to be.

The Kidd era has been a rollercoaster. In Year One, Kidd guided the Mavericks to a surprise run to the Western Conference Finals. In Year Two, they tanked the final games of the season (earning a league fine) but held onto a pick that became Dereck Lively II. In Year Three, they shocked the basketball world and reached the NBA Finals. In Year Four, Luka Dončić was traded, Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis both suffered injuries, and Kidd found himself coaching a team with a dearth of draft capital beyond 2026—and then…the lottery gods dropped Cooper Flagg into Maverick blue.

And now, with the end of Year Five on the horizon, with a GM search underway, Kidd sat at a podium and declared:

“I’ve played this game. I played it at a very high level. I know what the f*** I’m doing. But I don’t give a f*** what you guys write.”

Except… that’s not true. He does care—at least enough to know who’s poking holes and what he thinks is ‘bull****. You don’t swing at ghosts unless you see them.

So let’s ask the question that really matters: if Jason Kidd wants to remain the head coach of this team, especially as they enter the second year of the Cooper Flagg era… why crash out like this? Why now?

Some possibilities deserve consideration. None of this is sourced—this is speculation, but not reckless.

1. Maybe Kidd knows he won’t be retained. With Nico Harrison out, an outside general manager is possible, if not expected. Dennis Lindsey remains a likely candidate. Most incoming GMs want to hire their own coach, especially when the team is young, asset-strapped, and facing a multi-year reboot.
2. Maybe Kidd was gunning for the GM role and knows the door has closed. Publicly framing himself as a “builder of players” in that presser wasn’t just self-defense. It may have been the résumé line he hoped would carry weight internally. But if the job’s going elsewhere, and he senses it, the rant begins to read not as confidence—but resignation.
3. Or maybe Kidd simply doesn’t want to be here anymore. If your vision was to win with Luka and Kyrie, and now you’re coaching a teenager while narratives pick at your every decision, maybe the expiration date has already passed in your mind—even if the contract hasn’t.

The truth probably lives at the intersection of all three. What we can say with clarity is this: Kidd’s feelings about the media aren’t new. He’s never seemed fond of the beat corps. But contempt alone doesn’t explain this level of rupture. That kind of language doesn’t erupt unless the pressure valve is failing—or unless the speaker no longer cares about managing perception.

There are still reasons to like Jason Kidd as a coach. The locker room has never publicly fractured, and his guys play hard even when a deep playoff run is off the table. But this is not a referendum on his résumé. The new GM will face a question of fit.

As the Mavericks orbit around Cooper Flagg’s development, what this franchise needs most is steady calm. Alignment. A coach who can grow with the team, not grow irritated with the coming rebuild.

Kidd’s presser felt like anything but that sort of stability. It came off as emotional offloading. It felt like someone saying things he’s been holding back—because there’s no longer a reason not to say them.

If he truly desired to be the coach of the Flagg era—if he believed he’d be here for the long haul—you don’t get this kind of outburst. You get composure. You get positioning. You get the quiet political discipline of someone playing the long game.

Instead, we got:

“I know what the f*** I’m doing.”

And maybe he does. But if that’s true, then this outburst wasn’t a misstep. It was a message.

And the message might just be: I’m already out the door. I’m just saying goodbye in my language.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...kidd-didnt-just-go-off-he-might-be-letting-go

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Wagler, Peterson and this 2026 NBA Draft class continue to shine

Feb 1, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) dribbles during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

It’s been a banner week for college basketball, as seemingly each of the country’s brightest stars are shining bright. The headliner of last week’s action was, of course, AJ Dybantsa facing off with Darryn Peterson. However, that battle only lasted for a half, as Peterson was once again held out for “cramping”. We’ll always have this dunk though.

DARRYN PETERSON ON HIS HEAD pic.twitter.com/v0nIhotHLP

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) January 31, 2026

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Prospect of the week: There’s too many to count!​

Keaton Wagler earns the first mention here. Wagler scored 28 on Sunday to hand Nebraska just their second loss of the season, all but securing his place in the mid-to-high lottery in the 2026 NBA Draft. He’s been skyrocketing up draft boards as of late, for good reason! When you’re doing things that no one else has done before, you’re doing something right.

Keaton Wagler just scored a combined 74 points and shot 65% in two Top 5 road wins in 8 days

He's the first D1 player over the last 20 years to have multiple 25+ point games in road wins over AP Top 5 teams (per @JaredBerson) pic.twitter.com/PT70rRmMFv

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 1, 2026

Darryn Peterson scored 18 first half points against BYU, but only played three minutes in the second half. Cam Boozer continues to be sensational for Duke, as does Caleb Wilson for UNC. Mikel Brown Jr. came alive in the second half as his Cardinal beat SMU. In the non-freshman category, Dailyn Swain continues to carry Texas through SEC play, garnering some first-round love.

The bar is really high for this class, and week in and week out they continue to push it higher. The show rolls on, and this week features yet another electric slate. Let’s dive in.

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Games of the week​

February 2nd​

Syracuse at North Carolina – 6:00 p.m. CT (ESPN)​

Kansas at Texas Tech – 8:00 p.m. CT (ESPN).​

North Carolina has won a few in a row after bungaling their west coast ACC road trip. They’ve been led by Caleb Wilson, their outstanding true freshman. This is their last tune up before Saturday (more on that later).

As for the late game, perhaps there is no better conference for Big Monday than the Big 12. This matchup will feature Darryn Peterson (we think) facing off against the formidable Texas Tech duo of JT Toppin and Christian Anderson. After taking an unexpected loss at UCF on Saturday, expect the Red Raiders to come out hot on their home floor. If Peterson can go the distance, we’re set for a great one.

February 4th​

Texas A&M at Alabama – 6:00 p.m. CT (SECN)​

UCF at Houston – 6:00 p.m. CT (FS1)​

For two of the top guards in the upcoming draft, these games represent different opportunities. For Labaron Philon and the Tide, facing off with a red hot Texas A&M group will be a great test. The Aggies play a fun brand of ball to watch, but opposing guards will be challenged with the consistent full court press and tempo at which they run. If Philon can handle this, it’ll be a test passed. As for Flemings and his Cougars, this UCF team just upset the same Texas Tech team Houston lost to last week. Can Flemings continue to play well? I like his chances in this matchup.

February 6th​

UConn at St. John’s – 7:00 p.m. CT (FOX)​

Friday night at Madison Square Garden with these two teams will be fantastic viewing. UConn has been coasting as of late, until a 24-point shellacking of Creighton on Saturday night. The St. John’s team they’ll be facing is riding high now themselves. This is a game that, as a basketball purist, you will want to see.

February 7th​

Duke at North Carolina – 5:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)​

Illinois at Michigan State – 7:00 p.m. CT (FOX)​

Tennessee at Kentucky – 7:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)​

Houston at BYU – 9:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)​

It’s a backloaded slate on Saturday, as all of the day’s best tip after 5:00. Duke and UNC is one of the best rivalries in the country due to its long, storied history. While the legends of Coach K and Roy Williams are no longer roaming the sidelines, the passion and energy for these games remains. For the young freshmen in this matchup, it’s time to become legends. Performances in this game go down in the school’s lore forever. Who’s going to step up?

Elsewhere that night, Keaton Wagler looks to remain hot at Michigan State in what should be a slugfest. Tennessee is riding high with a revitalized Nate Ament, and they’ll be tested at Rupp Arena against Kentucky. Finally, the Big 12 features yet another banger, as Houston and BYU face off in the nightcap. Kingston Flemings and AJ Dybantsa won’t go 1-on-1 very often, but it’ll be great to see them each orchestrate. For Dybantsa particularly, can he find some level of efficiency against a Houston defense that will be swarming?

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...d-this-2026-nba-draft-class-continue-to-shine

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Mavericks vs Celtics Game Preview: 3 things to know as Dallas hosts surging Boston

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 06: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks defends Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at the TD Garden on February 06, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It feels like a lifetime since the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks met on the NBA’s biggest stage in the 2024 Finals. Much has changed since then as the red-hot Celtics (31-18) visit the Mavericks (19-30), who are looking to end a four-game skid. Here are three things to watch ahead of Dallas’s matchup with the East’s second-best team.

The Celtics shoot threes, lots of threes​

The Celtics and Mavericks play two completely different styles. Boston is second in the NBA this season in threes attempted per game at 42.9, and second in made threes per game at 15.6. As a team, they shoot 36.7% from three, ninth in the NBA. In comparison, Dallas is 26th in the NBA in three-point shot attempts per game at 32.0, 28th in makes at 11.0, and 26th in percentage at 34.3%.

One thing that has not changed since the 2024 NBA Finals is Boston’s ability to shoot volume threes, which can demoralize opponents when the threes are falling. In today’s NBA, the math of three being worth more than two is a big part of Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla’s strategy. In the absence of perennial All-Star Jayson Tatum, the Celtics lean on the three-point shot even more than before. Boston has six players who shoot above 39% from three this season — Anfernee Simons, Sam Houser, Josh Minnott, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and Luka Garza. This doesn’t include veteran sharpshooter Derrick White, who has struggled from three this season at 32.4%. Meanwhile, the Mavericks have one player who shoots north of 39% from three — Max Christie.

Dallas’s style of bully-ball and relentless attacking in the paint can work on teams that aren’t efficient from three, but three is still worth more than two, and the math favors the Celtics.

The Celtics are deep​

Even without Jayson Tatum, this Celtics team has been finding its groove lately, and a lot of that success stems from its depth. Boston is 7-3 in its past 10 games with a plus-nine point differential. After a 5-7 start, the Celtics are 26-11 since and sit in a second-place tie with the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference. Boston has five players who score in double digits per game: Jaylen Brown (29.4), Derrick White (17.2), Payton Pritchard (16.8), Anfernee Simons (14.2), and Neemias Queta (10.1).

The depth of the Celtics is also a big reason why they have the league’s second-best offense at 121.3 points per game. One particular player that could cause problems for the Mavs is Queta, who has shown real promise in his fifth year. The seven-footer is averaging 10.1 points per game, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks on 63.5% shooting. Dallas’s lack of men in the middle could give the Celtics second and third opportunities to hoist from three.

Another player to watch is reigning Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard. A lot of focus on the court tends to shift to Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, and for good reason. But Pritchard has quietly had another fantastic year for the Celtics, averaging 16.8 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. His ability to attack off the dribble and shoot from three is a big reason why the Celtics’ offense has remained efficient without Tatum.

And of course, there’s Jaylen Brown, who’s statistically having his best season at 29.4 points per game, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. Brown usually takes on the form of Robin, with Tatum being Batman, but Robin has done a pretty good job at keeping the ship afloat without the captain.

Cooper Flagg is the new Jayson Tatum?​

One of the most common player comparisons Cooper Flagg has drawn is Jayson Tatum. And it makes sense. Both went to Duke. Both were one-and-done. Both are widely viewed as elite two-way players. Flagg is listed at 6’9, 205 pounds. Tatum is listed at 6’8, 210 pounds. Both have the size and length to guard one through four on defense. Both have great court vision and passing ability to lead an offense. They do feel all too similar. So how are Flagg’s rookie numbers comparing to Tatum’s?

The situation Tatum was drafted into had some similarities to Cooper Flagg’s. The 2016-2017 Celtics were 53-29 and lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the 2017 NBA Draft, the Celtics took Jayson Tatum third overall. Tatum was thrust onto a good roster right away and was able to fit into his role. In his rookie year, he averaged 13.9 points per game, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. In comparison, Cooper Flagg is averaging 19.8 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in his rookie campaign.

Tatum’s team success in his first year was far greater than Flagg’s, with the Celtics going 55-27 and coming one game shy of the NBA Finals, losing once again to LeBron James’s Cavaliers. As of now, the Mavericks sit at 19-30, 11th in the Western Conference. But Tatum was surrounded early by veterans who helped him figure things out – Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart, Al Horford, to name a few. Flagg has that in Dallas — Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson. Veteran leadership matters, it’s just that most of the Mavericks veterans are hurt. Tatum has now grown himself to a top five to 10 player in the NBA. That may not even be the ceiling with Flagg. His ceiling may be top one.

Flagg will have his hands full on Tuesday night, being guarded by some of the league’s best perimeter defenders in Jaylen Brown and Derrick White. Let’s see how the next Jayson Tatum fairs against the team that grew the original one.

How to watch​

The two teams, going in seemingly opposite directions, will take the court on Tuesday night. But if there’s one thing we know, Dallas tends to beat the good teams. Go figure. The Mavs and Celtics will tip off at 7 p.m. Central time on NBC and Peacock.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...things-to-know-as-dallas-hosts-surging-boston

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Grading the Mavericks: Cooper Flagg’s timeline requires movement at this year’s deadline

DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 29: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks and Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets talk after the game at American Airlines Center on January 29, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Mavericks were 0-3 this past week but remain in 12th place in the West. They lost to Minnesota (118-105) and Charlotte (123-121) at home, then traveled to Houston, where they lost to the Rockets (111-107). Cooper Flagg led the team in scoring with 33 points per game. P.J. Washington suffered a concussion in Houston and will miss tonight’s game against Boston. Kyrie Irving (knee) and Anthony Davis (finger) remain out.

Grade: B-​

An 0-3 week may not usually warrant a solid grade, but Dallas played hard and had two incredible performances from Cooper Flagg in their last two losses. They were perfect games for the current state of the Mavericks: lose without lying down and get something inspiring from their top pick.

The battle between Flagg and his college roommate, Kon Knueppel, was a sight to behold. Flagg was just one point shy of a 50-point game, while Knueppel hit eight threes and the game-winning free throws. It was a display of two young players poised beyond their years, dueling it out until the final seconds. Truly, the highlights from this game are worth the 15-minute watch:

The Mavericks showed similar fight against Houston and nearly pulled off a 3-1 series win against them this year. But, as was their downfall against Charlotte, they could not execute in the last few possessions. The loss to Minnesota is not even worth discussing; it was one of the more boring games Dallas has played this season. They have an exciting week upcoming, however, where they play in Boston tonight on NBC and have a home-and-home with the Spurs this weekend. If they can play as they have over the last few days, there should be a lot of fun basketball to be had.

Straight A’s: Cooper Flagg​

It is remarkable how much Flagg has improved in such a short period of time. In his first 15 games, he averaged 15.5 points on 45.5 percent shooting. He started the season at point guard and, because of that, had a steep learning curve before he got his feet under him. Since he adjusted (i.e., the last 30 games), he has put up 21.9 points on 49.5 percent shooting. The game has slowed down for him in real time, and this culminated in back-to-back masterpieces this week, where he had 49 points and 10 rebounds on Thursday and 34 points and 12 rebounds on Saturday. The kid has got serious game.

Out of high school, he was a defensive prospect. Now, it’s his offense that wows crowds and gives fans a reason to dream about what he can be. He has lived up to the hype on the defensive end as well. The Mavericks, as bad as they have been, still hold a top-10 spot in defensive rating, and Flagg is the anchor of that. He is an awesome, fun rookie, but he is also a unicorn of an asset. Having a player this good on a rookie deal (which lasts four seasons) speeds up the timeline quite a bit and makes it imperative that they build a solid core around him as quickly as they can.

Currently Failing: Trade Value​

The trade deadline is this Thursday, February 5. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Dallas’ phone lines are “wide open”. This reeks of desperation from the Mavericks, which is disappointing but not surprising. Dallas’ main trade pieces (Daniel Gafford, Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson) have all had lackluster to mediocre seasons at best, and their best trade asset, Naji Marshall, seems to have a market value lower than the Mavericks’ asking price of a first-round pick.

It is not a good situation to be in. Dallas is a non-contender and a second apron team, an impossible combination of death sentences. As previously stated, with how good Flagg is already, increasing financial flexibility as soon as they can manage it is paramount. This starts with trading away their older players for expiring contracts and/or draft capital. If Dallas is unable to do this by Thursday’s deadline, it will be the second consecutive February of incompetence by the organization and could set them back more than they already are.

Extra Credit: Jason Kidd​

Coach Kidd is not known for his demonstrative nature. In fact, he is notorious for his lack of emotion during games and in post-game press conferences. That’s why the internet went berserk when he lashed out after being asked about national criticism for playing Cooper Flagg at point guard:

Jason Kidd fined $35K for public criticism of officiating and using profane language during a media interview.pic.twitter.com/rR2e0xuHUa

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) February 2, 2026

This was refreshing to watch. I want my coach to stand up for himself and the players. I want Kidd to yell at referees. I want him to show that he cares. To this point, we have gotten virtually nothing of the sort. Whether you agree with fellow Mavs Moneyball staffer Brent Brooks and think Kidd has nothing to lose, or you have your tin foil hat on about the timing of the incident, this is a net good. I do not want the version of Kidd that says he’s “watching just like the rest” of us. I want this version who is passionate and fiery and defends his decisions, rather than leaving them up for interpretation. Plus, “I know what the f*** I’m doing” is great on a quote card.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...line-requires-movement-at-this-years-deadline

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Player Grades – Recapping the Mavericks vs. the Celtics

DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 03: Naji Marshall #13 of the Dallas Mavericks drives against Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter at American Airlines Center on February 03, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks hosted the Boston Celtics Tuesday night. With no one curiously resting less than 48-hours before the trade deadline, Dallas was unable to get the win, dropping a 110-100 contest to push their losing streak to a season high five games.

Let’s get to the grades!

Naji Marshall: C​

9 PTS / 8 REB / 3 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 31 MIN​

Marshall shooting less than 60% from the field is almost shocking, but he’s strung together a couple of stinkers recently. Tonight just wasn’t pretty, with poor shooting being the biggest blemish. Solid rebounding buoyed him slightly, but there wasn’t much else to write home about.

Max Christie: C​

10 PTS / 2 REB / 3 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 30 MIN​

Christie’s shot has not been falling quite as consistently of late. Sometimes they just aren’t going to drop, but it would be great to see him camp out at the three-point line a bit less. His best stretch of the season came when he was doing a bit of everything, so he will hopefully get back to slashing and shooting some mid-range shots.

Cooper Flagg: A​

36 PTS / 9 REB / 6 AST / 0 STL / 2 BLK – 37 MIN​

Flagg did it all Tuesday night, pouring in a ton of points, drawing fouls, shooting a high percentage and taking care of the ball. With the absence of Anthony Davis, Flagg is the clear cut number one and is making the most of the opportunity. Excellent all-around game.

Caleb Martin: B​

13 PTS / 6 REB / 3 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 29 MIN​

Martin had a quietly good game, hitting 50% on 10 shots and chipping in some boards and assists. While not spectacular, he was efficient and didn’t turn the ball over.

Daniel Gafford: A-​

10 PTS / 12 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 2 BLK – 25 MIN​

Gafford missed a chunk of gametime after sustaining an ankle injury in the second quarter, but managed a solid game in somewhat truncated minutes. I have to remind myself that Gafford is an ideal backup playing as a starter. With that in mind, a double-double and returning from an injury he gets a boost on his grade.

Klay Thompson: C-​

4 PTS / 0 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 20 MIN​

Thompson was largely absent from this one, and landing in the Grades-basement would not have been off the mark, but perhaps I’m irrationally generous? He couldn’t hit his shots and really just couldn’t stay on the floor.

Final Thoughts​

Dallas looked like they were going to give us a show, but after the first quarter, were largely outplayed. Falling down by more than 20 points, they eventually made a bit of a run to keep things interesting, but you never quite felt like they’d make a real run given the poor shooting of too many starter.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...ltics-recap-110-100-cooper-flagg-jaylen-brown

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

3 things to consider as the Mavericks take on the San Antonio Spurs

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 31: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots a free throw during the game against the Houston Rockets on January 31, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Thursday is not just for deals for your Dallas Mavericks. No, these Mavericks (19-31) are set for a home and home series with the southern foes on Interstate 35, the San Antonio Spurs (34-16). The Mavericks are losers of five straight games, while the Spurs are coming in off of a win over the short handed Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.

Before this trade deadline day game tips off, here’s what you should be thinking about.

Can I get a show of hands… Who is still here?​

The Mavericks could be without a large number of players in this contest, depending on the actions that happen between now and 2:00 p.m. CT on Thursday. Depending on who you trust for your trade sourcing, any of Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford and Naji Marshall could be on the move. Due to the Anthony Davis trade of Wednesday, the Mavericks will be down at least two in the active department, as Jaden Hardy and D’Angelo Russell were part of the move. If any of the trio above are set to find more competitive pastures, Dallas could be running a skeleton crew similar to that of when the Cavaliers beat them by about 100 in Cleveland after Luka Doncic was stolen from us traded. Now, I don’t expect a similar result on Thursday as we saw in that game last year for a variety of reasons. Mainly, Anthony Davis is not Luka Doncic to anyone on the team.

However, it’s important to remember that these are real life humans who are going through a lot of real life human emotion during this deadline. Regardless of whether or not any of them actually get moved, there’s a toll to it. We’ll see what happens, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see at least one or two more trades before it’s all said and done.

Who exactly plays for the Spurs, either?​

As previously mentioned, the Spurs are on the butt end of a travel back to back, albeit this one being very short travel. But, given the Mavs roster situation, what incentive do the Spurs have to run out their full group for? They might feel safe that they can get by with resting a few starters and just having the basketball version of a bullpen game. So, take the Dallas roster situation, combine it with the Spurs potentially resting a lot of pieces, and you’ve got yourself one steaming pile of basketball. There is one saving grace, however, because…

The Mavericks did the right thing​

Cooper Flagg is already phenomenal, and with the moves of this deadline, they are starting to do the thing I’ve called on them to do since May: Build the damn plane around Cooper Flagg. The 368 days between the Luka deal and now have been nothing short of a catastrophe. Hell, we shouldn’t be here at all right now. The 1.8% chance of landing the kid from Maine is what saved this franchise from becoming a basketball wasteland. And while it took firing Nico, the Finley-Riccardi duo at general manager have set this franchise up to be successful around Cooper Flagg after just three months at the helm. A tip of the cap to those guys.

How to watch​

Probably with a bottle of tequila if it were up to me. Oh, the TV part! It’ll be on KFAA Channel 29, as well as Mavs TV. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from the American Airlines Center.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...review-anthony-davis-trade-nba-trade-deadline

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Anthony Davis should be remembered fondly by Mavericks fans

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 8: Anthony Davis #3 of the Dallas Mavericks adjusts his Oakley glasses during the second half of their game against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center on January 8, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

When the dust settles and we look back on this era of Dallas Mavericks basketball, it will be easy to view Anthony Davis’ tenure with the Mavericks as a failure. After all, he appeared in just 29 games in a little over a year’s time and left multiple games with injuries that would sideline him for weeks.

It’s easy to take the last year out on Davis, all the pain from the trade and having to accept that we’re not going to be contending for championships anytime soon. He is the face of the worst trade in modern sports history, his return was marginal at best, and it will be easy to hold that against him.

I don’t think we should.

Davis didn’t ask to be traded to Dallas, and he certainly didn’t ask to be brought in via the trade that angered a fanbase so much that its architect was fired just nine months after he made it. Davis came to Dallas to play basketball and try to earn the fans’ love in any way he could. His injury history was frustrating at times, but it’s not like he asked to sit out games.

Davis wants to play, and he wants to play hard. He can be a valuable part of a championship team, and he’ll be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when he hangs it up in a few years. I hope that with time, we can accept that he was put into an unwinnable situation by an egotistical man who thought he knew better than everyone around him. Davis is not the man who should get your ire; Nico Harrison is.

I enjoyed watching Davis play as a Maverick, and I also think it was time for him to go, but not because of him or anything he’s done. He just doesn’t fit the timeline of this team anymore. The infamous trade sent us from a contender to a rebuilding team, and you just can’t have a guy making over sixty million dollars a year on a rebuilding team.

I hope he succeeds in Washington, whatever that may look like, and I hope he has an entertaining and fulfilling end to his career. I wish he could’ve come to Dallas under better circumstances, but we don’t always get what we want in life.

With time, I hope Mavericks fans will see this situation the same way I do: with appreciation that he treated his time in Dallas as a professional and tried to gain the support of a fanbase that was — understandably — scarred by his presence. He was a good mentor to Cooper Flagg in their limited time together and he bought into a team that was heading for a rebuild despite nearing the end of his prime.

In total, his time in Dallas spanned just 367 days, and I think it’s best for everyone that his Maverick career is over. I just also hope we remember he never asked to be put under the microscope he got placed underneath and he never turned his back on this team.

Anthony Davis will always be good in my book.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...should-be-remembered-fondly-by-mavericks-fans

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Mavs YouTube Roundup: Dallas Mavericks shake the Etch A Sketch Edition

Jan 27, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard AJ Johnson (4) takes a shot before a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

When my original Nintendo console came home with me from the grocery store in the late 80s, I was on cloud nine. Mario Bros, Duck Hunt, and the possibility of new games and memories made with family and friends. I quickly learned that when the system was not functioning correctly after extended use, the best thing to do was power off, blow on the teeth of the game cartridge, and somehow that made things better for a while. Sure, it took a bit of time to power up, and you had better save your progress—but at least the game felt balanced again, and the controller would respond.

That is what the Dallas Mavericks did on Wednesday. In another reference from that bygone era, they shook the Etch A Sketch. Sure, they sent out more talent than they received back. That is the price of the reset button on this particular gaming console of Naismith’s game.

Peruse social media, and you might hear some folks complain that owners will do anything to avoid a high payroll. While that is sometimes the motivating factor in trades, there is more to it than sheer frugality. The current collective bargaining agreement forced the Mavericks’ hand, and the cap relief outshines the draft capital and young prospects that were included in this deal.

Those voices who said that those of us continuing to lament the boneheaded nature of Nico Harrison’s vision loved Luka more than the Mavericks missed the point. It is possible to be emotionally wrecked by a blunder and have a clear-eyed read on why it clearly set the franchise back years, even if you leave out the sentimentality. You can be invested in a franchise and still believe the former General Manager failed spectacularly – and he did. This move today was the first step, not in correcting the mistake but in opening up the best possible scenario to try again in the Cooper Flagg era. They paid a high price, hit the reset button… shook the Etch A Sketch, and now it is time for a true rebuild. One that is coming 8-10 years sooner than it should have.

Luka Dončić was asked who he had best chemistry with in his whole life



YT/VinceAndTmac pic.twitter.com/YglYIc0ITK

— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) February 4, 2026

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...las-mavericks-shake-the-etch-a-sketch-edition

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

The two things Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi said on Thursday that should give you confidence in the future

Following the NBA’s trade deadline on Thursday, co-general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi were able to speak with the media about the deadline. Unlike last year, when Nico Harrison spewed “defense wins championships” at the media for 15 minutes, the duo was able to provide an interesting perspective on where they see the organization as being after the Anthony Davis trade. Beyond that, I think there’s an interesting tidbit about how the Mavericks will approach this upcoming draft. To the quotes!

Opening statement​

Michael Finley: Well first, I want to thank Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, Dante Exum and D’Angelo Russell for their professionalism while they were with the Mavericks. Both on and off the court, in the community, those guys were great. So, kudos to those guys and good luck to them in their future endeavors.

We decided as an organization, front office and management, that we needed to something to bring back the winning culture here in Dallas. We thought doing the move that we did puts us back in that conversation, and gives the fans something to be excited about. And I think we’re moving in the right direction by doing the move we did, it puts us in the mindset of having a championship atmosphere around here. That’s what it’s all about, and I think we’ve achieved that with the move we just did. And we will continue to do that, and do what we think is best for the organization this day, and going forward as well.

Matt Riccardi: I echo a lot of Fin’s thoughts. But most importantly, thank you to the players, and we’re excited for the new guys coming in. Just to expand on one of Fin’s points, I think we had to take an honest look at ourselves in the mirror and realize where we were and where we wanted to be. Sometimes, the path is not straightforward, and you’ve got to go a roundabout way to get where we want to go. But our goal here remains the same. We want to win championships, we want to build a championship roster, and we want to do everything we can to provide the players with the proper resources and the staff to make that happen.

Not a ton here to digest, although I think Riccardi’s quotes are telling about how the organization looked in the mirror and didn’t like what they saw. Admitting that they’re going in a “roundabout way” to get where they want to go is as close as anyone will get to saying they’re eyeing a higher draft pick. That’s a good thing! This is the most hopeful statement they could’ve given after this deadline.

On the Mavericks offense (27th in the NBA) and how it correlates with the lack of guard play​

Finley: If you look around the league, the teams that are most successful have great guard play. Someone who can lead the offense, get the guys in the right position to make easier shots. And for us, I think guard play is as important, because it’s less pressure and stress that we can put on Cooper offensively. So, if we can get him with a guy that makes his job just a little bit easier, I think it does wonders for him, hopefully for his whole career.

If you’re looking for potential easter eggs about how this front office would build the roster out if they were given the keys full time, this statement is very telling. Finley talking about pairing Cooper Flagg with a guard “for his whole career” is something that I’m going to file away when June comes around. It’s clear this front office understands the NBA in ways that Nico Harrison didn’t, which was ultimately his demise. You must have great guard play to be a contender in today’s NBA. It’s a non-starter when building a team out, and this front office gets that.

These two quotes should inspire confidence that the Mavericks would be just fine with these two at the helm. Finley and Riccardi are widely respected around the NBA, and their understanding of doing what is best for the long-term future of the team should make you feel hopeful for the future.

The full press conference can be seen below.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...leymatt-riccardi-trade-deadline-anthony-davis

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Mavericks vs. Spurs Preview: 3 storylines as a rematch looms between in-state rivals

DALLAS, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 5: Naji Marshall #13 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots over Harrison Barnes #40 and Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at American Airlines Center on February 5, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The second of two straight matchups with the San Antonio Spurs (35-16) on Saturday will be the unveiling of the new-look Dallas Mavericks (19-32), for as long as this looks lasts, anyway.

Naji Marshall and Cooper Flagg had matching 32-point, six-rebound nights in Thursday’s 135-123 loss to the Spurs at American Airlines Center, and now the venue changes to the Frost Bank Center, where tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. CDT.

The Mavericks slowed Victor Wembanyama down in the second half of Thursday’s loss, after he scored 20 points in the first half on his way to a team-high 29. Seven Spurs scored in double figures in Thursday’s game. San Antonio is second in the West and features one of the most potent defenses in the NBA, but the Mavericks were still able to force them into a close game at home, shooting better than 48% from the field and 38% from 2-point range in the loss.

Here are three storylines to watch for as the two-game home-and-home series shifts to San Antonio.

Gafford turns a corner​

Daniel Gafford has quietly turned a corner in his last three games, posting double-doubles in each of the Mavericks’ last three losses. He had 16 points and 11 boards in Saturday’s 111-107 loss to the Houston Rockets, 10 and 12 in Tuesday’s 110-100 loss to the Boston Celtics and 16 and 10 on Thursday against the Spurs. He averaged just over seven points per game in January and just six in December, so its a promising stretch as Gafford tried to find his stride amid a tough 2025-26 season thus far.

Gafford was a candidate for trade before Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline, when Dallas was reportedly offered four second-round draft picks by the Atlanta Hawks, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. The Mavs didn’t budge from their demand for a first-round pick in exchange for Gafford, and now he’s here to stay at least through the end of this season.

His new three-year contract kicks in next season, but his $17-million-per-year price tag is not prohibitive if the Mavericks still see Gafford as a fit for this team going forward. The last 30 games of this season will go a long way to figuring that out, and his recent stretch of positive impact

The new guys​

Three of the four new Mavericks acquired in trade deadline deals are listed as probable to play against the Spurs the second time around. Tyus Jones, AJ Johnson and Marvin Bagley III could all make their first appearances in Mavericks uniforms at San Antonio on Saturday, while Khris Middleton, who was rumored to be a buyout candidate after the trade was first reported, is listed as doubtful.

Flagg, Marshall and Max Christie all played 38 minutes or more in Thursday’s loss as the Mavericks played with just 10 available on the roster. None of the new guys are likely to be a long-term solution for the Mavericks, but who knows, one or two may surprise us in the last 30 games of the year.

The Mavericks expressed interest in Jones in the off-season before settling for D’Angelo Russell when Jones got a better offer from the Orlando Magic. It will be interesting to see if he’s at least able to make a bigger impact on the roster than Russell did in his short tenure with the team.

Ride or die​

The Flagg-Marshall one-two punch has been at least refreshing and at times sensational in recent games. Marshall went from trade candidate as the deadline approached to indispensable in the first game after the deadline. He has scored 30 or more points in a game five times in his six-year NBA career, all with the Mavericks. Two of those five have come in the last two weeks as Marshall has cemented himself into a core position riding shotgun with Flagg.

Marshall has spoken about Flagg’s recent scoring surge “inspiring” him to pick his game up. Co-GM Matt Riccardi told the media ahead of Thursday’s game that Marshall’s is a “perfect” fit alongside Flagg as the rookie takes his place at center stage for the Mavericks for the foreseeable future.

Whether any of this translates into a win at one of the NBA’s best teams on Saturday seems immaterial at this point. The vibes are at a high for 2025-26 with Marshall as Flagg’s wingman, even as Dallas seeks to break its current six-game losing streak.

How to watch​

The Mavericks and the Spurs tip off at 5 p.m. CDT on Saturday from San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center. The game will be televised locally on KFAA Channel 29 and on sister stations throughout the Mavericks’ viewing area. It will also be streamed on Prime Video.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...r-flagg-naji-marshall-victor-wembanyama-wemby

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

NBA Power Rankings Watch: Cooper Flagg is on a tear

(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks may be losing games, but the vibes feel suddenly lighter after a trade deadline that hit the reset button on the franchise. No, it isn’t Anthony Davis’ fault that he stood at the center of the worst trade in sports history. But once the Mavericks were gifted Cooper Flagg last summer the organization needed to look themselves in the mirror and clean house of the remnants of the most tumultuous and embarrassing time in the team’s history.

So now, we move. And in the midst of this week’s moves which settles the future cap sheet of the team and likely invests all energy in securing a top draft pick this summer, Cooper Flagg is playing jaw-dropping basketball. That is the focus of this week’s Power Rankings Watch, as he puts together a rookie season few have accomplished.

ESPN​

Rank: 22​

Last week: 23​

Player under the most pressure: Cooper Flagg

Flagg arrived in the league under the pressure of living up to the hype of being billed as a generational prospect. He has carried that burden quite well. Flagg, 19, is on pace to become only the fifth rookie since the ABA-NBA merger to average at least 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. The others: Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Grant Hill and Luka Doncic. — MacMahon

The Athletic​

Rank: 23 (Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear)​

Last week: 24​

Trade deadline Photoshop: PF Giannis Antetokounmpo

Jason Kidd winds up calmly crashing out once a season because of the ridiculous circumstances his teams wind up in during his tenure. While Cooper Flagg is figuring things out individually, it is clear that the rest of Dallas’ roster makes no sense. So sure, let’s just do a Giannis Antetokounmpo-Anthony Davis straight-up trade and call it a deadline.

NBA​

Rank: 22​

Last week: 22​

Three takeaways

• Flagg missed the Mavs’ loss to the Wolves on Wednesday, but came back to total 83 points against Charlotte and Houston, with his 49 against Kon Knueppel and the Hornets being the most in NBA history for a teenager. He shot 25-for-34 (74%) in the paint over the two games and is now averaging 10.8 points in the paint per game, which would be the most for a rookie under 6-foot-10 in the last 15 years.
• The Mavs’ defense has held up OK, allowing 114.1 points per 100 possessions over the losing streak, with all four opponents ranking in the top 10 offensively. But beyond Flagg, offense has been a struggle. They’ve scored just 97.7 points per 100 possessions in his 81 minutes off the floor during the losing streak, and the loss to the Wolves without him was the sixth time this season that they’ve made five or fewer 3-pointers.
• The Mavs had a stretch where they went 8-5 against the 16 teams that currently have winning records. But they’ve lost three straight and are now 9-17 against that group overall. Their loss in Houston on Saturday was their first in seven straight games against winning teams.

Coming up: The Mavs are just 1-7 in rest-advantage games and will play their ninth on Thursday, the first game of a home-and-home set with the Spurs. The first meeting (on opening night) was the Mavs’ second-worst offensive game of the season (91 points on 101 possessions).

Bleacher Report​

Rank: 22​

Last week: 23​

This week, the Dallas Mavericks went winless and traded Anthony Davis for a package of players who aren’t likely to make a difference this season and picks that could prove awfully light on value.

But things are undoubtedly looking up for this organization, because it did the right thing in shedding AD and fully calibrating the future around Flagg.

His superstar potential has been evident since before his lone season at Duke, but it’s really surfacing in the NBA now. Over his last four games, Flagg is averaging 37.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 threes and 1.8 blocks, while shooting 44.4 percent from deep.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...g-anthony-davis-espn-athletic-bleacher-report

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

The Mavericks used the trade to build around Cooper Flagg, view Kyrie Irving as long-term complement

Oct 6, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (left) and guard Kyrie Irving (right) look on during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Dickie's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

According to league sources and first reported by Grant Afseth of the DallasHoopsJournal.com, the Dallas Mavericks continue to see strong long-term potential in pairing Kyrie Irving with Cooper Flagg as soon as Irving returns from injury.

The trade of Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Washington Wizards for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2 first-round picks and 3 second-rounders on Wednesday, however, was clearly driven by flexibility and the desire to clear long-term salary.

But according to this report, the Mavericks also believe it will help clear the way for a roster more cleanly oriented around Flagg. And they see Irving as a natural complement, rather than a conflicting presence.

As an experienced 14-year veteran point guard, Kyrie Irving would be expected to regain the reins of the Mavericks offense as soon as he returns from injury. The Mavericks will without a doubt breathe a sigh of relief that their table setter will soon be back on the court – some reports say after the All-Star break, but most realistically, we won’t see Irving in a Dallas Mavericks uniform until next season.

But interestingly, as the organization moves to build a roster around Cooper Flagg, they look to have other plans in mind for Kyrie Irving:

“The Mavericks believe Flagg’s comfort handling the ball and making early reads has validated internal projections made before the draft. Some within the organization now view him as the team’s best passer, even as his scoring responsibility continues to grow,” league sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com.

“Irving is regarded internally as a score-first guard who is at his best when he doesn’t have to expend energy running the offense. Flagg’s ability to initiate offense, dictate pace, and absorb playmaking duties is seen as a way to create those advantages.”

That sentiment was echoed in co-interim general managers Matt Ricardi and Michael Finley’s press conference Thursday.

When Michael Finley was asked how much Kyrie Irving is part of the future vision for the Dallas Mavericks, he was adamant:

“Kyrie has the ultimate respect for Cooper, he loves the kid’s work ethic, he loves the kid’s love for the game, and I think Kyrie is embracing the role of a mentor to Cooper…I think Cooper can learn a lot from Kyrie.”

As Grant Afseth reports:

“Rather than asking Irving to function as a full-time organizer, the Mavericks envision Flagg handling much of the early offense while Irving attacks gaps, punishes rotations, and takes over late in possessions. Sources described the pairing as complementary, with each player amplifying the other’s strengths.”

That sounds a lot like how the Mavs used Irving next to Luka Doncic, which was a great strategy that allowed the team and both players to get the best out of each other, while using their energy more efficiently.

The difference, however, is that Luka Doncic was a legitimate point guard. But playing Irving next to Flagg in this position could be very interesting to follow, because it would allow Irving to rest and use his skills for reading the game and elite finishing ability as efficiently as possible. In turn, Irving could provide leadership and a calm presence next to Flagg as the ball handler, which he has needed at times.

Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg have yet to play a minute together, however. But their chemistry and relationship have had ample time to develop throughout the season, as Irving has been very active in both mentoring and coaching the younger guys, like Brandon Williams and Cooper Flagg here. And that has the potential to make this combination very interesting.

Im so happy Kyrie Irving took Cooper Flagg under his wing. He’s going to make Cooper Flagg the most skilled player at 6’9 pic.twitter.com/lwB2H36M89

— Batman’s Almost Here (@NevaMiss24) January 24, 2026

Find more Beyond Basketball pieces here.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...agg-view-kyrie-irving-as-long-term-complement

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Player Grades: Mavericks vs Spurs, again

Feb 7, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Marvin Bagley III blocks a shot by San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) in the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks took on the San Antonio Spurs for the second time in three nights. With their season-long losing streak at six games, Dallas was unable to stop the skid, losing 138-125.

Let’s get to the grades!

Naji Marshall: C​

6 PTS / 3 REB / 5 AST / 3 STL / 0 BLK – 25 MIN​

Marshall couldn’t replicate his performance from Thursday, missing just about every shot he took and impacting the game very little. His assists, rebounds and steals keep him out of the basement, but not by much.

Max Christie: C+​

17 PTS / 3 REB / 3 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 27 MIN​

Christie did not have a good game anyway you slice it, but some of the intangible things put the highlights on the mess. He had his shot blocked multiple times, got burned on defense multiple times and just generally looked out of sorts. His plus/minus was a minus-23, only outdone by Cooper Flagg.

Cooper Flagg: C​

14 PTS / 4 REB / 4 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 26 MIN​

Flagg was solid, but ultimately not assertive enough. He had relatively few touches and couldn’t impact the game all that much on the defensive side of the ball. He actually managed to outdo Christie’s plus-minus with a mind bending minus-31.

Caleb Martin: B-​

11 PTS / 5 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 24 MIN​

Martin was fine in somewhat limited minutes, but like just about everyone else on the team, had little to speak of on the defensive end. The positive about Martin is that he looks like a capable NBA player again, after his early tenure in Dallas legitimately looked like it could be the end of his time in the league. He knocked in a few shots and it probably would have been a solid contribution if anything else went right for the team overall.

Daniel Gafford: C​

9 PTS / 4 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 18 MIN​

Gafford wasn’t in the flow of the game much of the time he was on the floor. He had plenty more rebounding opportunities than he capitalized on and his fouls-per-minute ratio was egregious. With the number of fouls, you would think he was physical, but that wasn’t the case and that’s ultimately the real problem — Gafford is too big and athletic to not bully better than he did tonight.

Klay Thompson: B+​

19 PTS / 1 REB / 2 AST / 2 STL / 0 BLK – 19 MIN​

Thompson is one of the trickier grades night-to-night. Saturday was not the first time he had an A-plus game going for a quarter or two, but then came back down to earth. His overall performance was arguably more than you could expect most nights, nearly scoring a point per minute played, but I confess some generosity on his grade, as he was in some ways just the best of a bad Mavs’ game.

Marvin Bagley III: A+​

16 PTS / 12 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL / 4 BLK – 24 MIN​

What a debut for Bagley! No, it wasn’t a career best game, but if you told me he’d score six points to go along with three boards, two assists, a steal and two blocks for the game, I would have been impressed. He did that in his first nine minutes. Bagley looked thrilled to be in a new environment and he fit in much better than could be expected for a guy who just got here. He showed quick hands, high energy and good rotations. Free throws were the only particularly ugly thing. It’s difficult to grade a player in his first outing, but benefit of the doubt given for playing like he did immediately after being traded.

Brandon Williams: A​

18 PTS / 3 REB / 4 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 23 MIN​

Some of it came in garbage time, but Williams had a nice game from start to finish. He hit 8-for-12 from the floor, only turned it over once and chipped in little bits everywhere. This was a nice game that got lost in a bad game, much like Bagley’s.

Final thoughts​

Dallas got rolled, and it happened quickly after a game that was competitive and entertaining for nearly the entire first half. In hindsight, this one was over a few minutes into the third quarter. A feel good post-trade win would have been nice to stem the tide on a lengthy losing streak, but take solace in the ever-improving draft status at least. I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...-davis-victor-wembanyama-wemby-stephon-castle

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Stats Rundown: 3 numbers to know from another Mavericks loss to the Spurs

SAN ANTONIO, TX -FEBRUARY 7: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Dallas Mavericks grabs a rebound against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on February 7, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks lost to the San Antonio Spurs again, 138-125 Saturday afternoon in San Antonio. This was the Mavericks second straight loss to the Spurs, and they are now 0-3 on the season against their in-division rival. All three games have been blowout, double-digit losses.

This game was eerily similar to Thursday’s game, with it starting out fun enough in the first half with high-tempo, up-and-down play, before the Spurs eventually steamrolled with their superior talent advantage.

Spurs guard Stephon Castle had a career night with a 40-point triple-double: 40 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. Brandon Williams led the Mavericks in scoring with 18 points off the bench.

Dallas has now lost seven in a row and are firmly outside of even sniffing the play-in tournament. Let’s get to the numbers.

25: Spurs made field goals in the restricted area​

Dallas actually did a lot of things well in this game, believe it or not. They were significantly better in turnovers, even on the offensive glass, and even shot a better percentage from three while making one more three than the Spurs did. If the Mavericks are even or win two of those three categories they usually stand a good chance of winning. Instead they were down by 28 points in the third quarter. Why? The Spurs had a layup line to the rim all day.

San Antonio went 25-of-36 in the restricted area, and both the makes and attempts are startling. The Spurs scored a preposterous 74 points in the paint. Dallas had absolutely nothing for San Antonio at the rim, and the Mavericks elected to play small for most of the game when Daniel Gafford wasn’t in. The Spurs took full advantage and took the ball to the basket hard the entire game.

12: Cooper Flagg shot attempts​

Dallas trailed for the majority of this game, and mostly by double-digits, so the minutes and shot distribution are bound to look a little wonky. Even with that qualifier, it was weird that Cooper Flagg only had 12 attempts in his 26 minutes.

He appeared to bang up his shoulder early in the game, and perhaps that led to him being a bit out of it. However for a lot of his minutes he was parked in the corner and off ball without much movement or actions to try to get him the ball. Dallas had seven total players attempt 10 or more shots, and two players shot more than Flagg and both were bench guys (Klay Thompson and the newly acquired Marvin Bagley)

Regardless of the Spurs defense, Flagg’s healthy, or the game script, Flagg just has to be more involved in these games, especially if Dallas is already not predisposed to winning at the moment.

4: Marvin Bagley blocked shots​

It was a fairly impressive debut for Bagley, by far the player with the most juice acquired in the Anthony Davis trade. AJ Johnson is two years away from being two years away, and Khris Middleton is just veteran flotsam at this point. Bagley has been a disappointment since being selected second overall in 2018, but he’s somewhat stabilized his career as a bouncy backup big that just sorta hangs around the rim and tries to do stuff. It’s a far cry from the star potential he showed at Duke, but at least it’s something.

He showed that newfound stabilization with Dallas right away in his first game. He finishes with a double-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks. The four blocks were the only four blocks the Mavericks had as a team. He did only shoot 6-of-14 from the field, and most of those misses were right at the basket, but it was still a fun debut from a still young and talented player.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...know-from-another-mavericks-loss-to-the-spurs

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Mavericks vs Spurs Final Score: Dallas loses to San Antonio, 138-125

SAN ANTONIO, TX - FEBRUARY 7: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs and Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks go up for a jump ball during the game on February 7, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks were blown out Saturday evening by the San Antonio Spurs, 138-125. Stephon Castle put on a basketball clinic for the Spurs, posting 40 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, and three steals. Klay Thompson was the high point man for Dallas off the bench with 19. The Mavericks have now lost seven in a row.

There was a furious pace to the early minutes of the game, and the Spurs took full advantage of a questionable Dallas transition defense. Head coach Jason Kidd was forced to call a timeout with San Antonio going up 16-6 following a Flagg turnover where he appeared to hurt his shoulder. New Maverick Marvin Bagley burst out of the timeout with a couple of hustle baskets. A Brandon Williams three forced a Spurs timeout with Dallas down 21-18. The Mavericks kept the energy high all period but San Antonio had an answer for every Dallas shot. They weathered the Dallas push and closed out the first quarter up 39-32.

The Mavericks continued to fight in the second frame, taking their first lead at 8:30 on a Caleb Martin drive and finish. As the period wore on, the Spurs finally matched the Dallas energy; slowly and surely they overtook the Mavericks on the scoreboard. An end-of-quarter scoring flurry put the Spurs up by 14 as Dallas could not match the talent level San Antonio put out on the floor. Dallas entered halftime down 81-67.

Nearly all season long, the Mavericks have made a living off of simply playing hard. They’ve stayed in games due to consistent effort married to reasonable enough talent. But the third quarter against the Spurs was one of the rare times that energy just didn’t matter. The Spurs thumped Dallas, growing the lead bit by bit. The Mavericks simply couldn’t hang. Halfway through the period, the San Antonio lead grew to 24. There was a Cooper injury scare (maybe his third of the game?) in the frame where his foot bent at a concerning angle, but he seemed fine. The Spurs led going into the fourth 116-91.

The final quarter was largely about Castle beating the brakes off Dallas and everyone getting out of the game without an injury. Dallas tried to eat into the lead, but could not stop the Spurs from scoring. Dallas fell to San Antonio, 138-125.

Dallas is a long way off from what San Antonio is doing​

There’s optimism among the Dallas fanbase, and there absolutely should be. Cooper Flagg rules and clearing off a bunch of salary, which will allow the Mavericks a chance to build something new, is important. But make no mistake: Dallas has a long way to go to even being a playoff team in my view.

Kyrie Irving’s return will be great if he stays in Dallas. A top-tier draft pick will also help and if the Mavericks get lucky, that may change my view somewhat. But compared to the Spurs, they lack in every area. That’s not an insult either, the Spurs are loaded for bear and ready to go try and win a title. But there are levels to this whole NBA contender thing, and Dallas is much closer to the bottom of the league than the NBA playoffs, and I think the optimism folks are feeling is blurring just how much this team actually needs. But one player can change things, and you never know what happens in the lottery and in free agency. Maybe I’m wrong here, but getting bushwhacked by the Spurs in two straight games puts a damper on my positivity.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...-antonio-cooper-flagg-victor-wembanyama-recap

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

The night Seth Trimble stole the show from Cam Boozer and Caleb Wilson to become a North Carolina legend

Feb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) celebrates with teammates after the game at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

While the Dallas Mavericks were in the middle of being handed their seventh consecutive loss, the best day of college basketball to date this season was unfolding. The rivalry that is Duke and Carolina delivered once again. Illinois and Michigan State went to overtime. Kentucky overcame a 14-point deficit to beat Tennessee. And potential top picks AJ Dybantsa and Kingston Flemings battled in the nightcap. It was a fantastic day, and as a wise Jon Rothstein says: This is only February.

Prospect of the week: Seth Trimble (Guard, North Carolina)​

Stat of the week: Became a Tar Heel legend​

In last week’s preview, I wrote the following about Duke visiting UNC:

“Performances in this game go down in the school’s lore forever. Who’s going to step up?”

THIS RIVALRY DOES NOT DISAPPOINT

SETH TRIMBLE GAME-WINNER FOR NORTH CAROLINA pic.twitter.com/uVsOm9DIav

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 8, 2026

Seth Trimble, welcome to your moment! In a game that featured two freshmen who likely will be top five picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, it was the senior who had stuck it out for four years at UNC that became an icon in this rivalry. Now, that’s not to say that Cam Boozer and Caleb Wilson were bad. Boozer had a rough first half but was excellent in the final 20 minutes, while Caleb Wilson started hot before a quieter second half. But when the game was on the line, it was Trimble to deliver the heroics. As Caleb Wilson said after the game, he knew when the shot was released “that sh*t’s cash,”.

Trimble is likely to be a second-round pick in the draft, but there’s a place for guys like him in the NBA. He’s not a point guard, but he’s able to handle it well enough to get the job done. Trimble’s best qualities are that he’s fantastic in transition, a must to play at North Carolina, and being a good rebounder for his size. Plus, over the course of four years, he’s worked himself into being a pretty good shooter, as evidenced by the game winner. In that range of the draft, you’re just looking for traits or being good at specific things. Because of that, I believe that Trimble is worth a flier.

Games of the week​

Monday, February 9th​

NC State at Louisville – 6:00 p.m. CT (ESPN)​

Arizona at Kansas – 8:00 p.m. CT (ESPN)​

Is Mikel Brown Jr. going to snap out of the funk he’s been in? Ever since returning from his back injury, Brown Jr. has struggled with turnovers and has been very inefficient from the floor. The talent is in there, but it’s time to see it again.

The “Big Monday” nightcap is a dandy, as Darryn Peterson and the Jayhawks will host the number one team in the country for the first time in program history. Arizona is undefeated for a reason, they’re very good and maybe the most sound team in the country. However, they’re about to embark on maybe the toughest seven game stretch you’ll see in the country, starting off with this trip to Allen Fieldhouse. If Kansas can get some threes knocked down at home, Arizona could be upset here. Brayden Burries is your x-factor here. If he knocks down shots for Arizona, they’ll be in good shape.

Tuesday, February 10th​

North Carolina at Miami – 6:00 p.m. CT (ESPN)​

Wisconsin at Illinois – 7:00 p.m. CT (Peacock)​

The theme for Tuesday is “following up”. Is North Carolina mature enough to validate the Duke win on the road against a pesky Miami team? It’s a very traditional let down spot. For Keaton Wagler, Saturday at Michigan State was easily the worst game of his college career, going just two for sixteen from the floor. How does he respond?

Saturday, February 14th​

Kansas at Iowa State – Noon CT (ABC)​

Louisville vs Baylor (in Fort Worth) – 3:00 p.m. CT (ESPN)​

Texas Tech at Arizona – 5:30 p.m. CT (ESPN)​

Nothing says, “happy Valentine’s Day!” quite like sitting on the couch for eight hours to watch hoops. So instead, take the love of your life out to watch Mikel Brown Jr. against Baylor in Fort Worth on Saturday! It’s situated perfectly between the two best games of the day in the Big 12. First, Kansas goes to Iowa State in a rematch, after Kansas beat the snot out of ISU earlier this year in Lawrence. Lastly, the Red Raiders of Texas Tech head to the desert to take on Arizona. This will be a big test for Christian Anderson, as the Cats will provide a stiff test both offensively and defensively. Should be a fun day!

Sunday, February 15th​

Indiana at Illinois – Noon CT (CBS)​

This should be an up and down game that features a ton of points. If Keaton Wagler isn’t able to get off the mat against Wisconsin, the Indiana defense should offer ample opportunity for a bounce back.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...cam-boozer-caleb-wilson-north-carolina-legend

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Mavericks Reacts Survey: Trade Deadline and All Star Weekend

SAN ANTONIO, TX -FEBRUARY 7: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Dallas Mavericks grabs a rebound against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on February 7, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Mavericks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Tell us what you think! And sign up for those weekly surveys. Answers will be posted later this week!

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/gener...ts-survey-trade-deadline-and-all-star-weekend

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Mavericks vs. Suns Recap: Futility on full display in Dallas’ 120-111 loss at Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 10: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the game against the Phoenix Suns on February 10, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks (19-34) rolled their tank into Mortgage Matchup Center on Tuesday and offered little to no resistance against the Phoenix Suns (34-22) in a fart-and-fall-down 120-111 loss, the team’s eighth in a row. Naji Marshall scored 11 of his team-high 31 points in the fourth quarter in the fakest comeback attempt the NBA has seen this year. Cooper Flagg added 27 points and five rebounds in the loss.

The early returns for Tyus Jones as starting point guard are not pretty, folks. The Suns held the Mavericks without a field goal for the first 5:45 of the game, including two early misses from 3-point range from Jones. His second was an unsightly airball from the right wing. Finally, mercifully, Max Christie found an open driving lane with 6:14 left in the first for the Mavs’ first bucket of the contest, pulling Dallas to within 16-6. Christie followed that bucket up with another airball on his next 3-point attempt.

The Hateable Dillon Brooks shot 7-of-9 from the floor through the first nine minutes on his way to a game-high 15 points after one quarter. It was Brooks’ highest-scoring first quarter of his career, but Brooks scored just eight points the rest of the way in the Suns’ win. Jalen Green scored nine more off the bench in the first, as Phoenix tried to put the Mavs to bed early, extending their lead to 36-16 at the end of the first. The Mavs shot an anemic 6-of-22 (27.3%) from the field in the frame. The 16 points are a new season-low in any quarter this year.

The Mavs made Phoenix reserve Ryan Dunn look like an All-Star early in the second, as he made mincemeat of the Dallas defense with 8:20 left in the half on a basic give-and-go along the baseline for an easy dunk to put the Suns ahead 47-20. The Suns coasted to a 65-48 lead at the half. The Mavericks backed themselves into a corner before storming back with an 18-1 run late in the second to make it that close.

At some point in the third quarter, as the Mavericks gave back all the ground they gained with that second quarter run, the utter futility of watching this team flail forced your faithful correspondent to devour an entire pint of Ben and Jerry’s Americone Dream. It was a far more productive exercise than anything the Mavs were perpetrating on the court. As the last creamy bite slid down my gullet, I looked up at the television screen to see Dunn finish off an alley-oop slam from Isaac Ighodaro to put the Suns ahead 96-74. Phoenix led 96-75 going into the fourth.

The fourth quarter was barely worth mentioning, as the Suns played just bad enough to give the Mavericks some hope and just well enough to keep Dallas at arm’s length down the stretch. To add insult to injury, Phoenix used up all five of its fourth-quarter team fouls in the first four minutes and change of the fourth, putting the Mavs in the bonus and extending the game with meaningless free throws and extra stoppages. Pain.

This team has packed it in​

The Mavericks’ complete lack of effort and desire on either end of the floor was evident from the game’s opening tip. The starting lineup reflected the business decision made, and the Mavs’ footwork on defense bolded the point in all caps.

Dallas didn’t so much fail to close out Suns’ offensive possessions on the defensive glass as much as they simply didn’t care to try. The Mavs’ effort was an affront to the game, but hey, it may net them another lottery ball or two, am I right? The recent additions to the roster continued to simply take up space on Tuesday

The Mavericks gave up 17 offensive rebounds in the loss, turned the ball over 16 times and got beat 26-10 on the fast break.

Cooper Flagg: Still doing his thing​

As ugly as this game was early on, Flagg showed off his wheels in the open floor, gliding down the court in transition for opportunistic scores while the rest of the Mavs’ offense looked completely lost. He sealed off his defender in close to the basket late in the second and scored on the receiving end of a nice find from Naji Marshall to pull Dallas to within 62-40 and led the Mavs with 15 points in the first half. His final bucket of the first half was at the end of a fast break when Flagg reared back and stuffed it in Brooks’ face to inch Dallas back to within 62-45.

Flagg and Marshall combined for 27 of the Mavs’ 48 points in the first half. Flagg scored eight of his 10 second-quarter points during the 18-1 run that opened the door for a second-half comeback. He scored seven more in the third before canning a baseline jumper through Amir Coffey’s foul with nine minutes left to play to bring the Mavs to within 13, down 102-89.

Negative three​

Dallas shot a putrid 1-of-15 from 3-point range through the first three quarters against the Suns. Marshall finally hit the Mavs’ second 3-ball of the game with 10:40 left in the fourth quarter. Middleton knocked down another one on the Mavericks’ next possession, but it was far too little, far took late.

The Mavs made four of their seven attempts from deep in the fourth quarter to finish a paltry 5-of-22 (22.7%) in the loss. Phoenix outscored Dallas 48-15 from 3-point range in the win. 48-15, for the love of God. On the other side of that coin was the Mavs’ plus-35 differential in free-throw attempts in the loss. The Mavs went 32-of-44 from the line in the loss, while the Suns shot just nine in the win and made six of them.

We’ll keep watching these games as the 2025-26 season wears on, Mavs fans, so you don’t have to.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/dalla...11-loss-at-phoenix-cooper-flagg-naji-marshall

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

Mavericks vs Suns Preview and Injury Update: Heading West before All Star break

DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 12: Brandon Williams #10 of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half at American Airlines Center on November 12, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks (19-33) stay on the road Tuesday night to match up against the Phoenix Suns (31-22). Dallas has now lost seven in a row, most recently to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night. Phoenix has now lost two in a row, most recently to the Philadelphia 76ers, and is looking for a get-right game. Phoenix won the first match-up of the season way back in November.

Here’s the main things you need to know before tipoff.

• WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Phoenix Suns
• WHAT: Road trippin’
• WHERE: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, Arizona
• WHEN: 8:00 pm CST
• HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass

The injury report is a little confusing at first glance for the Dallas Mavericks. All three two-way guys are listed as doubtful, so no Ryan Nembhard and no Moussa Cisse (Miles Kelly doesn’t get much burn anyway). Klay Thompson is listed as questionable with “rest” but we know he was at Meg Thee Stallion’s birthday, so I bet it’s a matter of if he gets to Arizona in time and if he feels good to play. The only Sun of note that’s out is Grayson Allen with a knee issue.

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I am not sure what to expect out of this matchup, or any matchup from here on out, if we’re honest. Dallas isn’t favored, but they don’t have bad players. Tanking organizationally may be in the cards but game by game, Dallas is trying to win. They simply haven’t been able to.

Keeping Devin Booker in check is the surest path to a Dallas victory, but that’s not going to be an easy task. I’m curious who will get the defensive assignment early on, particularly if PJ Washington comes off the bench. Keep an eye on Cooper Flagg’s three-point shooting, which has been very good on low volume since the 20-game mark. I’d put money on this being a clutch game again.

Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!

Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...art-time-tv-stream-injury-report-how-to-watch

 

[Dallas Mavericks]

“Don’t get used to losing”. Marvin Bagley’s NBA experience could prove useful for the Mavs

Back in December, after a particular tough loss to the Brooklyn Nets, the Washington Wizards players had an impromptu meeting in the locker room. One player who spoke up was backup center Marvin Bagley III. He averaged 16 minutes a game at the time, but felt he had something important to share, especially to the youngest players on the team.

It was a piece of advice he wished someone would have given him at the start of his NBA career, as reported by WashingtonWizards.com.

“He talked a lot to us about his past, what he’s seen in the NBA,” Bilal Coulibaly said about the locker room speech. “He really talked to the guys and told the guys don’t get used to losing.”

Don’t get used to losing.

Marvin Bagley III, 26, was the second overall pick in 2018, picked right in front of Luka Doncic by the Sacramento Kings. Interesting to think of now, and also a reason why his thoughts and reflections on the journey he’s had since 2018 are worth paying attention to. Both for his teammates, but also to get an idea of where he is mentally as he joins the Dallas Mavericks in a rebuilding phase around Cooper Flagg.

One of the pitfalls of tanking, rebuilding or starting over can be that especially young players develop bad habits. They start playing the wrong way, chasing stats and highlights. This can be detrimental to their future careers as well as when the time comes to actually play to win.

That’s why the fact that Bagley wanted to convey this exact message to his younger teammates a couple of months ago seems important, as he joins the Dallas Mavericks at this specific point in time.

Don’t get used to losing.

Bagley was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2018, but his career didn’t get off to the start he had hoped for. After an All-Rookie campaign, Bagley struggled with injuries and inconsistent play and was traded midway through his fourth season.

“I was in a tough spot as a young player; 18 years old coming in [and] I didn’t really have the older vets to guide me,” Bagley said.

“It kind of felt like I had to figure things out on the run, on the fly, by myself. That’s a hard spot to be in, especially in this league.”

Bagley has talked about dealing with the reality of unfulfilled potential. After being the guy in Sacramento to start with, he has dealt with being in and out of rotations, injuries, trades and disappointments.

But it looks like he may have found peace and balance in Washington recently, which bodes well for Dallas. He’s characterized as “mild-mannered, humble and un-assuming, yet vocal when he chooses to be. Universally liked and respected.”

“I’m a huge fan of Marvin, a huge fan of his game. He had a lot of things that didn’t break his way at the beginning of his career, whether they were his fault or somebody else’s and out of his control,” Corey Kispert said in the same article.

And it’s becoming clear that one of Bagley’s biggest strengths at this point in his career is his mental approach and how he now uses his experience to lead and mentor.

“The way he carries himself just being where he was and where he is now is incredible… He could easily just hang his hat and sulk because of where he was and where he was picked. But he’s the first person to tell you he is what he is now and he wants to make the best of it. He’s continuing to create himself a really nice career simply because of his mentality,” Kispert said.

It’s about focusing on controlling what you can control, Bagley says. About accomplishing whatever you can moving forward, and about how it begins with belief in himself.

You’d almost think he knew that a big change was coming getting a chance at least with the hard working, mentally strong group in Dallas, who have a real future franchise star to build around in Cooper Flagg and a one of a kind veteran leader in Kyrie Irving. This is what Bagley said a couple of months ago:

“The work is paying off, man… I’ve got a lot in the tank, man. I’m far from done, I’m not done. I’ve got a lot left to give to a team, to this league.”

And maybe Dallas is exactly what Bagley needs in order to take the next step in his career. There is already some signs that Marvin Bagley III may be just what Dallas needs in the locker room, as they rebuild around Flagg, but also on the court. If his debut Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs was any indication, this could end up as a great situation and fit for him. He recorded an impressive 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, a steal and four blocks in just 24 minutes.

Bagley was pretty good in his Mavs debut!

Full highlights below!https://t.co/0AQmWmvueO

— Panda Hank (Nico survivor) (@pandahank41) February 8, 2026

Find more Beyond Basketball pieces here.

Source: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/maver...ba-experience-could-prove-useful-for-the-mavs