The Dallas Mavericks enter the offseason licking many of the wounds of the 2025-26 year, but the future remains bright.
The Dallas Mavericks sent the home crowd at American Airlines Center into the offseason with one of their better offensive outputs of the season in Game 82 on Sunday night.
Off of a franchise rookie record 23 assists from Ryan Nembhard, 20 rebounds from two-way rookie Moussa Cisse, 28 points off the bench from midseason rookie acquisition John Poulakidas, and 52 percent shooting as a team, the Mavs beat the Chicago Bulls 149-128 to end the season 26-56.
The regular-season finale served as the arena's fan appreciation night, and rookie phenom Cooper Flagg got on the mic pregame to address the home faithful, who even despite the losing record were unwavering in their support of Flagg's magical season and the team as a whole.
"On behalf of me and the rest of the guys," Flagg said," I want to say thank you guys for all the support all year long. It means a ton to us, so thank you guys and go Mavs!"
During the evening-long embrace, the organization also played a tribute video with clips of players acknowledging the MFFLs. Flagg's campaign for the Rookie of the Year award also included cinematic montage of highlights that tell the story of his remarkable season. It was narrated by point guard Kyrie Irving, who will be making his much-anticipated return from injury next season.
That's one of the factors into why Dallas has reasons to believe next season will feature a postseason berth.
"We're gonna do something that's gonna surprise all of y'all next year," said Naji Marshall."
Irving added: "We will be back. We will be better. We're only going to continue putting in the work and make sure that we're putting on a great product for you guys on the floor."
Along with Flagg's emergence into one of the game's best young players, the Mavs will also be welcoming a top-10 pick from this summer's NBA Draft. Dallas currently has just under a 30 percent chance of landing another top-4 selection after last season's lottery win that captured Flagg.
And speaking of that, veteran Klay Thompson pledged his allegiance to the teenage star. "We've got a good one," he said.
"We (saw) a historic rookie season," Kidd said of Flagg, who led the Mavericks in total points, rebounds, assists and steals. He's the first rookie to do that on their team since Michael Jordan.
"It was fan appreciation night. We have the best fans," Kidd added, "But we also have one of the best players in the world at the age of 19."
That alone is enough for Mavs fans to stay optimistic.
