Mavericks quietly unlock dynasty-defining edge to fuel Cooper Flagg era

The Dallas Mavericks ended the Luka Doncic era by trading him to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 1, and less than five months later, the Cooper Flagg era began. Dallas won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, granting them the No. 1 pick and the right to draft Flagg, and they have already given him, Anthony Davis, and Kyrie Irving the perfect tool to have an outstanding 2025-26 season and jumpstart this new era.

Depth.

The Mavericks have built one of the deepest rosters in the entire NBA, and this hasn't been talked about nearly enough this summer. This is partially due to the Mavericks being quiet in free agency, as they only signed D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum while losing Spencer Dinwiddie to the Charlotte Hornets, but the roster that Nico Harrison has built around the new big three of Flagg, Davis, and Irving is remarkable.

Depth has become Dallas' calling card

Once the Mavs are fully healthy, the starting lineup will likely be Irving, Klay Thompson, Flagg, Davis, and Dereck Lively II. This starting lineup is stacked, as it includes the perfect balance of shooting, defense, and size, but the bench unit is what really has Mavericks fans excited.

The Mavs' second unit off the bench could look something like Russell, Max Christie, Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford, and Dallas could end up having a Sixth Man of the Year candidate if everything goes according to plan. Washington seems like he'll be in the hunt for this award if he comes off the bench, as his role on the team is invaluable. His tenacity, defense, versatility, and 3-point shooting will be crucial for the Mavs, and if they are one of the top teams in the West, Sixth Man of the Year would become even more of a possibility for him.

On top of the five listed bench players above, Dallas also has Brandon Williams, Caleb Martin, and Exum to deploy at any time. Williams is bound to have another great season after ending last season on a remarkable tear, and with Irving out, they are going to need his playmaking.

With Martin, his defense alone could get him on the floor, but his 3-point shooting must improve to become a staple of Jason Kidd's rotation. And finally, with Exum, he'll be the steady hand that Kidd can use at any time at the one through three spots if they need more 3-point shooting, defense, or an extra ball handler.

The Mavericks are truly loaded from top to bottom, and their bench play could end up being one of the defining factors of this new era if they can keep the roster together. They've already done a great job of that by extending Gafford and Washington this summer, and they are building something special with the entire league watching.

If the 2025 NBA Playoffs didn't prove this enough, you must have depth to contend for a title, and the Mavericks have an edge over most teams in this department. Dallas' rotation strength will end up being what holds them together while Irving recovers from his ACL tear, and they could end up being one of the top contenders in the league if they can stay in the hunt while he rehabs.