Nico Harrison's controversial Mavericks gamble could collapse before taking off

While the Dallas Mavericks have their fair share of critics and skeptics heading into the 2025-26 NBA season, the Dallas media knows just how special this team could potentially be after adding Cooper Flagg to their current core in June. This isn't to say the Mavericks don't have plenty of questions heading into next season, such as the health of Kyrie Irving as he rehabs a torn ACL, but Nico Harrison and company have constructed a roster following the Luka Doncic trade that at least projects as a top-10 seed next year.

Dallas is undoubtedly one of the more volatile situations in the NBA next season, even though they've secured their future by landing Flagg. The Mavericks have a ton of talent on their roster that should push them to be a .500 team at the very least next season, but with their best player in Anthony Davis, being notoriously injury-prone and Irving missing an indefinite amount of time next season, Dallas' ultimate ceiling will hinge on those swing factors.

Irving and Davis are 100 percent talented enough to work seamlessly together on the court once Irving returns from injury and Davis is presumably healthy as well, but the sad reality of the situation is that they've only played about two-and-a-half quarters together during Davis' Mavericks debut, and this is something that many fans may not be taking into account enough when thinking about how good the Mavericks can be next season.

Dallas is betting on a duo that's barely been tested

Regardless of how good Irving and Davis are and how many miles they've clocked on the court, it will take a little time for them to get completely comfortable playing with each other, as it takes a lot of game-time together for any two players to fully understand the other's tendencies and style. Irving and Davis are extremely skilled and adaptable, but it's highly unlikely they start hitting their peak together once Irving returns from injury, as Irving will likely be slowly ramping up once he returns.

If there was more continuity with Irving and Davis as a duo heading into next season, it wouldn't be shocking if many more writers and talking heads in the national media would view Dallas as one of the premiere teams in the Western Conference next season, but this isn't the case whatsoever despite how tantalizing they looked in their one game together versus the Houston Rockets on February 8.

Things could get particularly shaky if Davis gets any sort of semi-serious injury next season during the time Irving is trying to return from injury, as two will need their fair share of on-court reps together ahead of the playoffs, and this is only a luxury the Mavericks can pray to receive once it gets to be time for Irving to return.

This isn't to say Mavericks fans shouldn't be cautiously optimistic for next season, but Harrison and his staff have constructed a roster whose ceiling is largely contingent on the health of two players approaching their mid-30's, which is a far riskier proposition compared to if Dallas just kept Doncic instead, as Irving and Davis' lack of continuity together is already a burning question heading into next season for the Mavericks.