June 26th, 2025 at 6:27 PM CST by Dana Gauruder - The Dallas Mavericks frontcourt is poised for an exciting season with a mix of emerging talent and seasoned veterans. The team features a crowded roster that includes Dereck Lively, Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford, who recently signed an extension. Adding to this mix is the highly anticipated top draft pick, Cooper Flagg. Despite the crowded lineup, general manager Nico Harrison has expressed his intention to have all players share minutes effectively, rather than trading away one of the veteran players.
Harrison has discussed strategies to integrate Washington and Flagg on the court simultaneously. “I said, ‘Hey, P.J., do you think you guys can play together?’” Harrison recalled, as reported by Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News. Washington responded positively, indicating there is no sense of jealousy among the players. “Oh yeah, we can play together,” he affirmed. This collaborative spirit suggests that the Mavericks are more focused on teamwork and synergy than individual roles, setting a promising tone for the upcoming season.
Winning the draft lottery has fueled Harrison's optimism about the team's future, as he believes the Mavericks are on the pathway to becoming contenders for years to come. “I think it’s win now. It’s also win in the future,” Harrison stated. He emphasized the significance of Flagg in the team's future, suggesting that the transition to making it Cooper’s team may happen sooner than anticipated, although the exact timing remains uncertain. This dual focus on immediate success and future growth is a strategic approach that could benefit the Mavericks significantly.
Harrison envisions Flagg contributing in multiple facets of the game, as noted by Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops Journal. “He’s a basketball player. He can handle the ball, he can shoot, he can make plays for people. He’s a good passer,” Harrison elaborated. “He’s going to be on the floor. The big thing is: who can he defend? And he’s a great defender.” This versatility highlights Flagg’s potential to become a key player in the Mavericks' lineup.
In light of Kyrie Irving’s recent ACL injury, Harrison mentioned that the Mavericks will explore free agency to address the temporary gap left by Irving. However, he clarified that the team is not necessarily seeking a traditional point guard. “I’m not really worried about someone to run the offense. I think we’ve got enough guys that can handle the ball and play multiple positions — just someone to get us organized,” Harrison explained. He added that “A lot of players want to come play in Dallas,” indicating the Mavericks’ appealing team culture and environment.
Despite facing criticism from fans after trading Luka Doncic, Harrison believes that the Mavericks' lottery success has eased some of the discontent. “I’ve seen the fans react since we got the No. 1 pick. It feels like they’re feeling really good and optimistic about the future,” he mentioned, reflecting a shift in the fanbase's sentiment. Harrison seems hopeful that this positive momentum will continue as the team prepares for the future.
During a recent press conference, Harrison confirmed that head coach Jason Kidd will remain in his position, quelling rumors about a potential move to the New York Knicks. Additionally, there were discussions about assistant coach Sean Sweeney, whose contract was expiring. Sweeney's agent, Andy Miller, stated that while Dallas worked hard to retain him, the San Antonio Spurs offered Sweeney a more significant role. “Dallas made a yeoman’s effort to obviously retain him,” Miller noted, highlighting the competitive nature of coaching positions within the league.
A source within the organization shared with ESPN’s Baxter Holmes that the Mavericks were taken by surprise when they secured the top pick in the draft lottery last month. “We never even considered that the impossible could happen on May 12,” the source admitted. This unexpected turn of events has injected new life into the franchise and could significantly alter their trajectory moving forward.
