6 Rival opponents we'd love to see the Mavericks start the 2024-25 season against

After the Dallas Mavericks couldn't prevail to win the 2024 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, the team wasted no time in putting together a roster to make another push for next season.

Despite losing Tim Hardaway Jr. and Derrick Jones Jr., the team added Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall, and Klay Thompson, and brought back former Maverick Spencer Dinwiddie. The Mavs also drafted Melvin Anjinca with their only selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, and he is set to develop overseas next season.

With the roster complete, anticipation now begins for when the Mavs schedule will be released. Even though the schedule has yet to come out, it isn't too early to think about what team the Mavs will face to begin the 2024-25 NBA season as opening night is filled with tons of fun and new storylines.

6 Rival opponents we'd love to see the Mavericks start the 2024-25 season against

Last season, we saw Dereck Lively II outplay Victor Wembanyama on opening night, and it laid the foundation for a spectacular rookie year for both players.

Opening night also gives fans their first chance to watch new additions, and the American Airlines Center is going to erupt when Thompson's name is announced for the first time. Thompson is going to be the team's starting small forward, and the Mavs need his shooting desperately.

With 29 other NBA teams, there are plenty of teams that Mavs fans would love to face in the opening game, whether if it's at American Airlines Center or on the road. Rivalries intensify and sometimes begin on opening night, and the city of Dallas is fired up for another season of Mavericks basketball.

6. San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs were one of the worst teams in the NBA last season with a 22-60 record. But, there's nothing like opening the season against another team from the Lone Star State.

There would be extra anticipation to open against the Spurs because of Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama. These two players will be in the MVP discussion all season long. Even though the Spurs are projected by many to be out of the playoffs, Wembanyama's expectations for the 2024-25 season are extremely high.

Wembanyama won Rookie of the Year last season, so Doncic can have some extra motivation to play a tremendous game, and get people to talk about him having a career year, and another MVP-type season. After all, Doncic was third in MVP voting last season despite him deserving the award.

If the Mavs were to open on the road in the Alamo City, it could provide an easy road trip for Mavs fans from Dallas to make the drive on I-35 South to watch the Mavs in San Antonio and invade Frost Bank Center.

Dallas opened up their season against the Spurs last season, and running it back this season would be the perfect start to the 2024-25 season as San Antonio could be on their heels in no time.