ESPN’s panel foresees a rocky Dallas season for 2025-26, with a large share predicting the Mavericks finish 7th or worse and a slim shot at home-court. The win total sits near 38.5, underscoring doubt about immediate upside despite a seasoned core and the arrival of Cooper Flagg. The debate centers on how Flagg’s rookie path overlaps with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, and whether Dallas can squeeze into the play-in or beyond. The panel’s varied bets on Flagg’s playoff impact, MVP odds, and future team movement reflect high risk and high reward in a volatile rebuild window.

Flagg’s rookie arc is framed against a broader Dallas narrative: a veteran duo at peak age, a developmental year for the rookie, and the weight of expectations after a recent push for elite status. The piece leans into the tension between immediate results and long-term potential, signaling that fans should temper expectations while watching Flagg’s Summer League momentum translate to real-number production if he carves out a rotation spot. The Lakers flirtation in the backdrop—via Bronny James and Anthony Davis—amplifies the cross-team context that shapes Dallas’ ceiling this season.