3 Reasons to be optimistic for the Dallas Mavericks' 2023-2024 season

The 2022-23 season has mercifully ended for the Dallas Mavericks. To call their season a disappointment would be putting it lightly. A catastrophe would be a more apt description, considering they didn’t even make the Play-In Tournament after going all-in by trading for Kyrie Irving.

Mavs fans have a laundry list of reasons to be upset with the organization. Even so, not all is lost. There are still some flickering signs of hope in Dallas, and supporters have multiple reasons to believe in the team's future.

Dallas Mavericks still have Luka Doncic

It has begun. Rival fans and sports pundits alike have wondered how long the Mavs superstar Luka Doncic will put up with the front office’s incompetency before requesting a trade. Photoshopped jerseys swamp Twitter as teams dream of snagging him away from Dallas. It’s easy to laugh the speculation off as nonsense, but who knows what Doncic is really thinking?

The easy answer comes from the man himself. Doncic publicly shot down the idea of a trade request at the end of the season. While it could be lip service, at the very least, it’s one less thing to worry about as the offseason continues. With a full year of rest (and hopefully some righteous anger over not making the playoffs) putting money down on a Doncic MVP season next year is a pretty good idea. 

To be clear, the clock is ticking. The Mavericks’ championship window will last as long as Doncic stays in Dallas, which could close soon if they miss on their crucial offseason moves. Every move the Mavericks make from here on out should be closely scrutinized. There is very little room for error. However, for the moment, he is still here, and the Mavs have an essential asset they can use to create more talent around their 24-year-old superstar.