Inside the top storylines surrounding the Dallas Mavericks as training camp gets underway.
The Dallas Mavericks are beginning the trek toward the 2026-27 season with training camp on tap for the start of next week.
An offseason filled with changes - from administration to roster to practice courts - has almost (just almost) distracted fans from the Mavs' two playoff absences since the 2024 ... and of course, The Trade that sent the franchise spiraling.
Defending Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg enters Year 2 with sky-high expectations and the keys to the team in hand. The 19-year-old, who turns 20 a couple of months into the season, is thought to be the force that steadies this ship in a rocky Western Conference ... but Flagg's emergence as a superstar still may not be enough to get Dallas back to the postseason.
Here are the rest of the key storylines centered on the Mavericks as basketball season returns.
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Key Dates
Friday, Sept. 25 - Media Day
Tuesday, Sept. 29 - Training Camp begins (players can first report on Sept. 28).
Friday, Oct. 9 - Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets in Preseason (Macao, China)
Friday, Oct. 11 - Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets in Preseason (Macao, China)
Wednesday, Oct. 14 - New Orleans Pelicans at Dallas Mavericks in Preseason
Friday, Oct. 16 - Atlanta Hawks at Dallas Mavericks in Preseason
Monday, Oct. 19 - Opening day rosters set
Wednesday, Oct. 21 - Dallas Mavericks at Houston Rockets (again?!) in Regular-Season Opener
Saturday, Oct. 24 - San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks in Mavs' Home Opener at American Airlines Center
Welcome Back, Kai!
Kyrie Irving is expected to be healthy in time for training camp and to begin the season after sitting the entirety of the 2025-26 year while recovering from a torn ACL.
Irving's stamina and playmaking will be crucial to lift a weight of responsibility off Flagg's shoulders, and how much the two work off one another will dictate a large portion of the Mavs' competitiveness ... which will be evaluated early as Irving's future with the organization looms in its balance.
Dereck Lively II and his 'confounding' foot injury
Center Dereck Lively II is still easing his way into full strength following two foot surgeries over the past year that have left him in a boot, on crutches and without any substantial physical activity in almost a full year.
Luckily the Mavericks are not without frontcourt players, but the intention is that Lively, 22, is among the core pieces worth including in the foundation built around Flagg long-term.
Team president Masai Ujiri says Lively has gone through the proper process for his recovery from foot surgery and has "made really good progress."
"We're really happy about that," Ujiri said. "[but] we're going to be patient ... until we get this right."
New Leadership
Masai Ujiri is president of basketball operations. Mike Schmitz is in at general manager. Dusty May is the head coach. And 17 more front office moves make up a new-look team of Mavericks decision-makers entering a new season.
We've already begun to learn about Ujiri's intentions through his busy offseason of roster building, but May's style will be particularly interesting to find out.
New Players
On the court, the Mavs' roster features six newcomers (three of which are rookies) to replace the seven players departing from last year's team.
And Dwight Powell is .... back?
The frontcourt is especially crowded. Next to Lively, May is tasked with managing a rotation for centers Daniel Gafford and Moussa Cisse, and forwards Flagg, No. 9 overall pick Morez Johnson Jr., stretch-big Santi Aldama, P.J. Washington, and other, versatile pieces.
Behind Irving there is less certainty, but potentially some room for creativity. Marcus Sasser joins his hometown team as a backup point guard, along with first-round Spanish rookie Sergio de Larrea. Max Christie's perimeter shooting and Naji Marshall's deadly floater both return.
New ... Home?
Yes, we're officially kicking off the Countdown to Valley View.
Also, this offseason, the Mavs pinned the old mall site in North Dallas as their next home once the downtown AAC lease expires.
That isn't until 2031, but with an expansive entertainment district planned to accompany a new arena, ground will likely break on the new site shortly.
And before you know it, that will be just one more thing that looks different about a Dallas Mavericks organization that already has plenty of new things about it.
