Mavericks on brink of worst-case scenario if new prediction comes true

With all of the hype surrounding rookie Cooper Flagg and a healthy Anthony Davis before the 2025-26 season opener, many thought that the Dallas Mavericks' season would be a stepping stone to be in playoff contention, but their 7-15 start and a new Bleacher Report article say otherwise.

Recently, Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report wrote an article titled "Updated NBA Win-Loss Record Predictions Entering December." Before the season, Bleacher Report had the Mavericks winning 42 games, but that number has sunk to a dangerous spot.

Now, Hughes' new prediction of the Mavericks winning 33 games is a sign that this season could enter no man's land based on the current standings, and their future could suffer for it. Finishing with 33 wins would mean that the Mavericks likely missed the Play-In Tournament while simultaneously not entering a full tank and pushing for a top lottery pick, and this is exactly where they shouldn't want to be.

The Mavericks can't afford to stay stuck in the middle

There's no prize for being mediocre, and with the Mavericks being much better than their record indicates, they could be heading in this direction.

"If ever they were going to tank in hopes of adding another young piece next to Cooper Flagg, this would be the season to do it," Hughes said.

Hughes is right that this is the only year that the Mavericks realistically could tank. 2026 is the only year that the Mavericks have their own first-round draft pick until 2031, and this is their best shot at finding another young star. If Dallas finishes this season near the bottom of the NBA, they can have better odds of landing a high draft pick to use to pair another young piece with Flagg for many years. However, the team is also in a win-now phase, even with Flagg.

Davis' high contract and age make him a win-now-type of guy, but injuries remain an issue. Klay Thompson wants to win another championship at his age, but has had an up-and-down season and may not offer much value if the Mavericks were to trade him. Kyrie Irving may be another veteran to keep an eye on due to his age and his ACL tear from last season. The Mavericks could fear that Irving won't be the same player again, but all signs are pointing to him staying in Dallas at this point.

The best way the Mavericks could tank this season is to trade players that the team knows it doesn't need for the future. This would also allow Flagg to be the lone focal point of the Mavericks organization to take a step in the right direction to one day become an offensive engine. Davis and Daniel Gafford are two players who have been in trade rumors this season, and both players should have solid trade value around the league that the Mavericks can leverage to build for the future.

Hughes also mentioned in his article that if the Mavericks sell at the trade deadline, the team's win number could decrease even more.

Now, if the Mavericks turn their season around and make a push for the playoffs, it wouldn't allow them to get a high draft pick in 2026 for Flagg to play with. Every team wants to win and have a shot to play for an NBA championship. The Mavericks by no means are out of the playoff race, but it will be tough to get out of the play-in race and secure a top-six seed.

If the Mavericks finish this year just out of the playoff mix or at least make the Play-In Tournament, their first-round draft pick won't have much value, and it would be much harder to find a future star to pair with Flagg.

Whether the Mavericks turn their season around or keep losing, this season will be one that shapes the future of the organization with Cooper Flagg. Winning games and tanking each have their benefits, but if Grant Hughes' prediction comes true, the Mavericks will be stuck in the worst spot possible.

No team wants to miss the Play-In Tournament while also not having the best lottery odds, and that is exactly where the Mavericks are headed if they don't pick a clear direction soon.