With the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft and two aging All-Stars, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, still under contract through 2025, the Dallas Mavericks appear to be embracing a dual-pronged strategy aimed at both short-term success and long-term sustainability.
This “two-timeline” approach mirrors the one previously attempted by the Golden State Warriors, who tried to balance their aging core with high-upside young talent by integrating lottery picks in 2020 and 2021.
According to Christian Clark of The Athletic, Dallas is poised to take a similar path. The team aims to strike a balance between remaining competitive and building for the future.
One potential piece of that puzzle is Duke forward Cooper Flagg, widely regarded as the top prospect in the 2025 draft class.
If selected, Flagg could be a rare rookie capable of contributing meaningfully right away – an unusual feat for a one-and-done player.
Still, a key variable in determining whether Dallas can remain a true contender is the health and consistency of Davis, now 32, and Irving, 33, over the remaining years of their contracts.
Their ability to stay on the court and play at a high level will heavily influence the team’s chances of competing at the highest level while simultaneously developing young talent.
