Dallas aims for a title as Anthony Davis anchors a bigger, camp-tested frontcourt. At 268 pounds, he’s shedding weight as the season starts, with a plan that prioritizes durability and movement. A recent retina surgery requires goggles, but Davis insists vision is crisp and he’s feeling explosive.

The blend of Davis with Dereck Lively, P.J. Washington and Cooper Flagg, plus Kyrie Irving’s recovery timeline, sets Dallas up for a potent, versatile attack and a championship ceiling in 2025-26.

Three Mavericks crack ESPN’s top 100 for 2025-26, underscoring Dallas’s mix of veteran presence and budding upside. Cooper Flagg sits high for an 18-year-old No. 1 pick on a playoff-aspiring squad, with Jason Kidd signaling a Giannis-like path as a multi-positional playmaker. P.J. Washington provides versatility and leadership as a reliable defensive linchpin, while Dereck Lively II carries health caveats that could temper his ceiling even as his rim-protecting potential remains immense.

Dallas’ offseason signals faith in a flexible, defense-first core around Luka Doncic, who remains the engine. The ranking hints at a season where Flagg’s development, Washington’s steadying presence, and Lively’s health will shape the Mavericks’ playoff push and fantasy upside—especially if Doncic dovetails with a more varied, lob-ready frontcourt, even if his playmaking remains the dominant engine.

Dallas Mavericks' 45-year countdown continues with Nos. 35-26, blending budding talent and seasoned pros who left an imprint. Dereck Lively II anchors the frontcourt with rim protection and efficient finishing; Daniel Gafford stacks elite FG% and paint presence; P.J. Washington adds versatile scoring and floor spacing for Dallas’ late-season push.

Erick Dampier, Wesley Matthews, Vince Carter, Dwight Powell, Tim Hardaway Jr., Shawn Bradley, and Harrison Barnes complete the batch, delivering rebounds, shooting, and veteran savvy. These names shape fantasy floor and playoff upside, with Barnes offering consistent scoring and versatility across a second-stint context.