Dirk Nowitzki Says Mavericks Have Loaded Roster, Will Compete For A Title When Kyrie Irving Returns

After trading Luka Doncic, the Mavericks' title odds took a major hit. Yet, according to franchise legend Dirk Nowitzki, they still have more than enough to compete with the top contenders, assuming that their core players stay healthy enough to give them a chance.

"If they’re healthy, they’re one of the deepest teams," said Dirk on the DLLS Mavs podcast. "If you look at the front court, how it’s loaded with talented players… they have two or three players at every position, especially when Kyrie comes back. I saw him on social media, and he’s already getting some shots up, so you know he’s going to take care of his body and do everything he can do out there. Once he comes back and he’s the old Kyrie, that’s a heck of a team that’s super loaded."

Dirk Nowitzki was the leader for the Mavericks' only NBA title. Although it was 14 years ago, Dirk's legacy lives on in the city, and his expectations for the roster have not gone unnoticed.

"The main thing is, can they stay healthy for the long run? They’re as deep as any team, but the West is tough. OKC will probably be the heavy favorites again going in, but other than that, two through eight for me is wide open, and they have a great shot if they stay healthy.”

While the Mavericks gave up Doncic, they were able to bring in Anthony Davis and Max Christie. That's alongside veterans like Klay Thompson, D'Angelo Russell, Daniel Gafford, and PJ Washington. That's not to mention Kyrie Irving, who is set to return sometime in 2026.

On paper, the Mavericks are stacked. But do they have that alpha leader to carry them through the playoffs? As a 10x All-Star and NBA champion, Anthony Davis has the credentials, and he's also got the talent with averages of 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game in the 2024-25 season.

When it comes to Davis, however, his extensive injury history leaves room for doubt among the critics, and at 32 years old, he's not getting any younger. The same could be said for both Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson, both past their primes and with extensive injury histories.

The real X-Factor for the Mavericks may be Cooper Flagg, the unproven rookie, who was drafted first overall in this year's draft. After a star season at Duke, he joined a Mavs team in distress, but he has the chance to prove himself by making an impact right away for a win-now team.

At small forward, the Mavericks will use him in all sorts of ways, and he may even act as the primary playmaker until Irving returns. At just 18 years old, Flagg will have to learn on the fly, but he'll be surrounded by experienced veterans and champions to help guide his development.

For Dirk, while he may not be pleased with how they handled Luka, his loyalty still lies with Dallas, and he wants to see them succeed as much as any of their fans. Only time will tell how it turns out for the new-look Mavericks, but Dirk believes this group has the potential to go all the way.