07-23-2025, 09:17 AM
Mavs at #19 in the athletic rankings post draft and most of free agency.
San Antonio at 20
Dallas Mavericks
Last ranking: 17
Free agency: PG Kyrie Irving (re-signed), SF Dante Exum (re-signed), C Dwight Powell (exercised option)
Additions: SF Cooper Flagg (draft), PG D’Angelo Russell
Departures: PG Spencer Dinwiddie
Midsummer summary: Dallas has something of a crowded roster and needs to shed a standard contract. But whoever that player might be, No. 1 pick Flagg replaces them. Automatic upgrade! The only other roster change of note is that Russell is here to replace Dinwiddie, which should be another upgrade for the Mavericks, although Russell had a forgettable season that saw him drop below 40 percent from the field for the first time in his career. It will be up to Flagg and Russell to run Dallas’ offense and find Anthony Davis, who is recovering from surgery to repair a detached retina. Elsewhere in the surgery department, center Dereck Lively II had foot surgery this month. While Davis and Lively should be ready for camp, it underscores the lack of availability both players have had. Availability, of course, is a major concern for Kyrie Irving as well, who re-signed about four months after tearing his ACL. There is more than enough size here, but Irving isn’t saving the shaky guard play that this team projects to have.
San Antonio at 20
Dallas Mavericks
Last ranking: 17
Free agency: PG Kyrie Irving (re-signed), SF Dante Exum (re-signed), C Dwight Powell (exercised option)
Additions: SF Cooper Flagg (draft), PG D’Angelo Russell
Departures: PG Spencer Dinwiddie
Midsummer summary: Dallas has something of a crowded roster and needs to shed a standard contract. But whoever that player might be, No. 1 pick Flagg replaces them. Automatic upgrade! The only other roster change of note is that Russell is here to replace Dinwiddie, which should be another upgrade for the Mavericks, although Russell had a forgettable season that saw him drop below 40 percent from the field for the first time in his career. It will be up to Flagg and Russell to run Dallas’ offense and find Anthony Davis, who is recovering from surgery to repair a detached retina. Elsewhere in the surgery department, center Dereck Lively II had foot surgery this month. While Davis and Lively should be ready for camp, it underscores the lack of availability both players have had. Availability, of course, is a major concern for Kyrie Irving as well, who re-signed about four months after tearing his ACL. There is more than enough size here, but Irving isn’t saving the shaky guard play that this team projects to have.