Could Mavericks be instant championship contenders?

The Dallas Mavericks didn’t just pivot this offseason — they flipped their entire identity. Luka Doncic is gone, Anthony Davis is in, and Cooper Flagg arrived as the No. 1 pick to headline the next era. 

Add Kyrie Irving’s expected return before the All-Star break, and suddenly, Dallas has a core that looks a lot closer to contender status than anyone imagined a few months ago.

Why the ceiling feels higher than expected

The Davis factor is the biggest swing piece. If he stays healthy, he gives Dallas something it hasn’t had in years: a defensive anchor who can also carry stretches of the offense. He doesn’t need to be the go-to scorer every night, but when he’s on the floor, the Mavericks look like a team with balance and playoff credibility.

Irving’s timeline matters just as much. Coming off ACL surgery, he reportedly could return around January. That gives him enough runway to build rhythm for the stretch run. Dallas doesn’t need him playing 35 minutes a night in December — it needs him fresh and reliable in April and May. Even as his game has aged, he’s still one of the best tough-shot makers in the league, and that skill becomes invaluable in the postseason.

Then there’s Flagg. Rarely does a rookie tilt expectations, but he’s not a normal rookie. His defensive instincts, rebounding and maturity already fit, and his scoring will only grow as the year goes on. If Dallas gets even 75% of the player scouts projected, he’s going to raise the team’s floor immediately. And the combination of Davis and Flagg in the frontcourt gives them the kind of length and defensive versatility that wins in the West.

Why doubt is still warranted

Of course, there are reasons to pump the brakes. Davis has battled injuries his whole career, and betting on him to stay upright for eight straight months is dangerous. If he misses long stretches, Dallas suddenly looks thin and too dependent on Flagg. Irving’s return may not be seamless either — players don’t always bounce back from ACL surgery with the same burst or consistency, especially when they’re in their 30s.

Chemistry is also a real question. Davis prefers to avoid heavy minutes at center, Flagg will be learning on the fly and Irving has historically been tough to integrate. Head coach Jason Kidd will have to juggle egos, minutes and roles carefully to make this work. And in the Western Conference, one misstep can push you from home-court advantage to the play-in.

Still, the path is clear. Dallas isn’t in rebuild mode. It's got star talent, a generational prospect and a veteran guard who — if healthy — can still swing games. That’s more than a lot of teams can say, and it’s why the Mavericks belong in the conversation.

The Mavericks may not be the title favorite, but dismissing them outright would be a mistake. The mix of Davis, Irving and Flagg gives them a ceiling higher than anyone expected this quickly. It will take health, patience and a little bit of luck, but Dallas has positioned itself as one of the league’s most fascinating wild cards.

And if things break right, they might be more than that. They might be contenders.