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.

Mark Cuban says he’d run the Mavericks’ sale differently—open it to more bidders—and isn’t ashamed of selling, only the process. Since then Dallas churned leadership: Welts as CEO, Casson as president, with Dumont in the loop and Harrison’s access noted as uneven. On the court, Cooper Flagg’s upside and Dereck Lively II’s shooting potential loom, while Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving surface as new anchors in a franchise keening for a fresh identity. Training camp in Vancouver leads into a home opener vs San Antonio, as the team recalibrates around a post-Doncic era.

Offseason chatter centers on Doncic’s status, the reshaped front office, and a youth-forward core that also includes Lively II and Flagg. Cuban’s optimism hinges on longevity and winning to win back fans, while the roster looks to space the floor and accelerate development. The narrative blends business upheaval with a basketball roadmap aimed at rebuilding DAL’s championship trajectory.

Dallas lands the spotlight as the 2025 rookie class arrives, led by Cooper Flagg and a path to minutes shaped by Kyrie Irving’s ACL injury. Flagg’s all‑around game could unlock multi‑category fantasy value early, with D’Angelo Russell and Dereck Lively II handling guard duties at the outset. The surrounding veterans won’t hand him minutes, but his motor and versatility could push him into a sizable role for a title-contending Dallas club.

Kansas City’s own Dylan Harper and the rest of the group—Kon Knueppel, Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe and Tre Johnson—carry big upside if roles materialize behind entrenched guards and scorers. Harper’s burst and defensive activity, Knueppel’s IQ, Bailey’s scoring drive, Edgecombe’s two‑way versatility and Johnson’s shooting range all set up late‑round intrigue. The storylines extend to Jeremiah Fears, Asa Newell and others who could emerge if injuries or attrition hit the depth chart.