We’ve entered a new year, and while yes the year began nearly a week ago, a fresh start began in earnest this week. For most that means taking stock of lessons learned in the previous 365 and setting sights
on actionable goals for a better you.
Might we suggest that for the Dallas Mavericks as well? A team in tailspin for the better part of the last 11 months received a lifeline over the summer in the form of Cooper Flagg. And while some changes, needed changes, have already taken place, this organization has plenty more to do.
So I turned to the only reliable source of truth and guidance in the year of our lord 2026 and asked several AI tools the most popular resolutions in the new year. We’ll use that technological hellscape as guru and apply it to a Mavericks team that needs to make some big decisions — some in the next few weeks.
Improve mental well-being
“The reason a new year’s resolution is so hard to keep, is a year, is a year long,” sage words from comedian Josh Johnson. And look, we’re trying. Trying to remove the stink of 2025 and the memories of betrayal. But we’re also human.
Credit to this roster, and the coaching staff, because most nights they are putting in work and staying mostly competitive. That’s a credit to this team. But it’s also undeniable that the shell-shock of the last year has impacted not just the fanbase but the players who were around last season (and further back). It could take more time for the fan base to clear their minds and emotional resentments to the organization. But the front office needs to evaluate, especially before next month’s trade deadline, how to best position this team in the future and in turn improve the mental health of a team in desperate need of commitment to a new era.
Build healthier habits
The Dallas Mavericks are currently 26th in three-point frequency and the 30th in three-point percentage. It is no surprise that there is little to praise on offense, and their outside shooting being a primary culprit. A team with a core of forwards and bigs who mostly need to operate inside 15-feet, and few ball handlers to facilitate anything in the half court will lead you to those rankings. And somehow the team is also 24th in paint touches on the season. All this gives you 28th in Offensive-rating.
This team needs to find shooting. Be it the trade market, or a primary focus in the summer, 2026 has to be about perimeter play. Without more options to stretch the floor defenses will never be forced to rotate, expand, and stay packed to the paint waiting for a slew of forwards to hit a brick wall. This roster doesn’t have those tools on paper so it must be found through future moves, and one other avenue, which leads us to…
Learn new skill
Cooper Flagg has been everything advertised. His defense is somehow not been spoken of enough, his comfortability in transition offense is at a veteran level, and his ability to get into the restricted area out of isolation already feels like an automatic bucket.
But Cooper: you have to start taking threes. This isn’t about learning a new skill. You have it, tap back into it. Flagg re-expanding that part of his game in the halfcourt will be vital to his development.
I expect Flagg will start to find comfort in the perimeter in next month or two, much like he did in his lone season at Duke. Currently Flagg is averaging 3.4 attempts per game, connecting on just 27-percent. Last year at Duke, in the first 13 games of the season (November and December) he attempted 3.7 per game, also hitting on 27-percent. January forward at Duke his attempts per game were essentially the same, but he was hitting on nearly 45-percent from three. It would make sense if his hesitancy now is getting acclimated to the space (or lack) and getting comfortable with misses. But this season is about process, not results. Trusting the development process will be key and will pay dividends next year.
Save money & plan for the future
This is perhaps the most vital resolution for the Dallas Mavericks, at the very least until summer. The giant question currently hanging over the team’s head is what happens with Anthony Davis. He’s expensive, not reliable to be on the floor consistently, and also reportedly in search of a large extension. One that could pay him nearly $70-million per year as he nears 40 years old. Whether that’s a good idea, for any team with Davis, is completely separate from the fact that the Mavericks are a lottery team operating at the second apron. It restricts what they can do with the roster while also facing stiff financial penalties.
You simply cannot continue that financially, especially when you’re a roster sniffing a top eight pick in the draft. These next several weeks are vital for a front office operating with interim co-general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi. Finding a destination for Anthony Davis, as well as possibly moving veterans Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, D’Angelo Russell, Naji Marshall or some combination, is priority. Reset your books, restock draft capital, and start fresh in earnest with Cooper Flagg leading the way.
