Charles Barkley's grim Dallas Mavericks outlook will be shattered quickly

The disrespect for the Dallas Mavericks continues to grow despite their impressive NBA Finals run last season. Defeating two of the top teams in the West before succumbing to the Boston Celtics in the championship round was by no means an easy feat.

Dallas should remain one of the favorites to clinch the top spot in the West, especially after the arrival of its "missing piece" and the addition of other pieces that check the boxes for the team's title aspirations.

However, it looks like some folks around the league doubt the Mavs' status as a legitimate contender.

Charles Barkley will regret saying Mavericks will slip in standings

Among those who have offered a grim outlook for Dallas is NBA legend Charles Barkley. In a recent appearance on "The Bill Simmons Podcast" (at 30:00), he stated, "The Mavs, I think, are gonna regress."

Barkley didn't provide any reason behind his opinion, unlike when he gave a similar prognosis for the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves. He criticized the Suns for not having an identity and an established leadership. On the other hand, the Hall of Famer seems sure that the Wolves will get worse after they "got lucky" in the 2023-24 campaign.

While it's understandable for Barkley not to think too highly of two of the Mavs' competitors for the Western Conference crown, his prediction for Dallas doesn't add up.

Already boasting one of the best offensive duos in the league with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the front office brought in Klay Thompson, one of the finest sharpshooters in the history of the NBA.

On the defensive end, the Mavs have the potential to improve despite suffering their biggest loss of the offseason when Derrick Jones Jr. signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. Replacing him are Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes, who appear to be more-than-capable substitutes.

With other key rotation players, including Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford, expected to continue growing their game and the return of Spencer Dinwiddie, Dallas stands to be a more dangerous opponent this season.

Still, it's all love with Barkley, as he defended Doncic from critics, pointing out that the Slovenian superstar was the reason the Mavs reached the 2024 Finals. With what looks like a stronger supporting cast, though, Dallas seems poised to get over the hump and bring home the championship trophy for the second time in franchise history.