The Dallas Mavericks are in the process of reinventing themselves after the disastrous Luka Doncic trade, and the past few months have reshaped the franchise ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.
Former Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri was hired this offseason to be the Mavericks' new team president, and former ESPN NBA draft analyst Mike Schmitz, most recently an assistant GM with the Portland Trail Blazers, was tabbed to be the new Dallas GM. They then made a huge splash by hiring Dusty May as the franchise's new coach after he led Michigan to the 2026 national championship in college basketball.
On the court, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II are expected to return from lengthy injury absences, and they're set to play alongside reigning
NBA rookie of the year Cooper Flagg. They'll be surrounded by a mixture of reliable veterans and an intriguing collection of newcomers, including four drafted rookies, that could force May into some tough (and awkward) lineup decisions.
There's enough talent to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2024 NBA Finals but also a lot of variables to overcome.
Here's a breakdown of the Dallas Mavericks offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
Dallas Mavericks offseason review
- Record last season: 26-56 (12th in Western Conference)
- Playoff finish: Did not qualify
- Coach: Dusty May (1st season)
- 2026-27 title odds: +20000 (per BetMGM)
- Projected record: 32-50
- Offseason grade: B
Key roster additions
- F Zaccharie Risacher (trade)
- F Santi Aldama (trade)
- F Tarik Biberovic (trade)
- G Marcus Sasser (trade)
- F Morez Johnson Jr. (No. 9 pick, 2026 NBA Draft)
- G Sergio de Larrea (No. 25 pick, 2026 NBA Draft)
- F Tobi Lawal (No. 48 pick, 2026 NBA Draft)
- G Vsevolod Ishchenko (No. 56 pick, 2026 NBA Draft)
Key roster losses
- G Klay Thompson (contract buyout)
- G Khris Middleton (trade)
- G Ryan Nembhard (trade)
- G A.J. Johnson (trade)
- G Brandon Williams (free agent)
- F Marvin Bagley (free agent)
Biggest question entering training camp
How will Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II perform coming back from major injuries?
- Though the Mavericks are building around Flagg for the long term, their ability to exceed expectations during the 2026-27 season could hinge on the effectiveness of Irving and Lively. Both were key starters when Dallas went to the NBA Finals in 2024, but injuries have largely sidelined them since. Lively has played in just 43 games since then (including only seven appearances last season) due to a foot injury, while Irving missed the entire 2025-26 campaign recovering from a torn ACL. Their health, and Irving's partnership with Flagg, will be a focal point early on this season.
Projected starting lineup and rotation
Starters
- G Kyrie Irving
- G Max Christie
- F Cooper Flagg
- F P.J. Washington
- C Dereck Lively II
Rotation players
- G Marcus Sasser
- F Naji Marshall
- F Santi Aldama
- F Zaccharie Risacher
- F Morez Johnson Jr.
- C Daniel Gafford
What to expect in 2026-27 season
If Irving and Lively can return close to the form they showed before being derailed by injuries over the past year, and Flagg builds upon his intriguing rookie campaign, the Mavericks are positioned to be a dangerous team that should compete for a play-in tournament spot and finish with a much better record than a season ago. But a first-time NBA head coach, health concerns and several newcomers with uncertain roster fits behind Flagg make Dallas a risky team to trust as a legitimate contender this year.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dallas Mavericks season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction
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