Cold hard truth Mavericks will quickly face about fragile title dreams

The Dallas Mavericks enter the 2025-26 season with so many questions. For starters, fans wonder if D'Angelo Russell can hold the fort down until Kyrie Irving comes back. His ability to lead the offense and overcome his past struggles will be important if Dallas hopes to make the playoffs. So, can Russell revert to his 2019 All-Star form, or will Dallas be in trouble?

Although he isn't the only question mark. Anthony Davis' health will always be a key concern. Dirk Nowitzki recently mentioned Davis' health as one of the deciding factors for the Mavs' success. The Mavs legend, though, might be on to something. Davis played in just nine games for Dallas last season, and his health will be crucial next season, as the team will rely heavily on him.

Irving and Davis are just some of the many questions mark Dallas faces next season. If you recall, Dallas revamped their roster with new additions like Cooper Flagg. Fans must remember Flagg is just a rookie, and there is no guarantee he'll adapt or succeed immediately. So, with injuries and Flagg still developing, could a gap year be on the way?

Mavericks may be one season away from dominating the league

Dallas must face reality when it comes to next season's outlook. There is a lot of uncertainty heading into the year, and the Mavs must be ready in case things don't work out their way. For example, Irving is out for the foreseeable future. Some analysts expect he'll be back by the All-Star break, yet Irving has no clear timeline for when he'll return.

If you recall, Irving spoke on his return in July. He responded to fans asking if he'll be back by the playoffs, and his response was something fans didn't want to hear. Irving stated, "Don't hold your breath on that," and further reiterated his hope to be "150,000% better." So, the idea of him returning by the All-Star break might need to be reconsidered.

Assuming Irving doesn't return on time, this puts a lot of pressure on Russell. This is something Dallas has to evaluate. Last season, he averaged a season-low 12.6 points per game. This was a huge dip from the previous season, when he averaged 18 points per game during the 2023-24 season. The last time he averaged below 15 points per game was his rookie year.

So, there is a possibility that Russell could be on the decline. If the statement is true, then this would be bad news for Dallas. The Mavs need Russell to revert to his old form if they want to make a playoff run. If Russell struggles and Dallas isn't in the playoff hunt when Irving returns, then this could be too much pressure on Irving. He needs to be fully healthy when he comes back, and having to carry the entire load of the offense right when returning would be a recipe for disaster.

Plus, there is also the Flagg situation. The team can't put too much pressure on him either, as he continues to adapt to the NBA. Flagg struggled offensively in his first Summer League game when he scored 10 points and shot 23.6 percent from the field. His numbers improved in Game 2 when he scored 31 points. The issue was that he shot 33 percent from the 3-point line (even though he was taking difficult shots).

There is a possibility this could be a learning year for Flagg. As mentioned, he needs to continue developing his 3-point shot, and his struggles in his first Summer League Game in Las Vegas show room for improvement. He'll need to adapt to the game and find his rhythm within the Mavs' offense.

Basically, the Mavs' upcoming season is based on hypothetical situations that must pan out well. If things don't work out, then it's highly possible this could be a gap year. Russell and Flagg could swing the season, but again, that isn't guaranteed. Mavs fans must face reality and be prepared for this season to potentially be a learning experience.