Dallas Mavericks will be forced to climb huge mountain next season

The 2024-25 regular season schedule hasn't come out yet, and the Dallas Mavericks are already facing a gauntlet challenge for next season.

The NBA's project of an NBA Cup was a success, at least in the championship game. Last season's Pacers-Lakers championship game in December of 2023 the most watched non-Christmas Day game since February 2018.

The In-Season Tournament was known for its drama on the court in some games last season and gave the season a boost instead of just waiting until Christmas Day for the season to get into full swing.

The Mavericks hope to add onto the party by getting to where the Lakers got last year, but they have to get past a challenge in their own group this fall.

Mavericks get placed in death group of teams to face in NBA Cup

It's been announced that the Mavericks will face the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans, and Denver Nuggets in this year's NBA Cup as they are in Group C. This means that new familiar faces on the Mavs will be against some old teammates. Nonetheless, these matchups are a death group for all teams involved.

The Warriors gave the Mavericks a gift by giving up one of the greatest shooters the game has ever seen, Klay Thompson. Thompson's presence will be felt quickly with Dallas's increased ability to shoot from beyond the arc, especially in big games. It will be an emotional moment for Thompson, no doubt, but high stakes are needed in this tournament games and the veteran sharpshooter will be prepared to play.

Don't look now, but the Grizzlies have a gift waiting for them once October hits. Zach Edey finished with 14 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks in his first Summer League action against Utah. Edey has some size that might impact Dallas next season.

The Mavericks don't just have to worry about a full-strength Memphis team in the regular season, they'll have the tournament to watch for too, but the Mavs will be ready.

The New Orleans Pelicans will have new blood on their team thanks to signing veteran All-Star Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks. The Pelicans-Mavs matchup will be interesting thanks to the Mavs signing 3-and-D wing Naji Marshall. The big man matchup in that game is a weakness for New Orleans, but the star matchups will still be tough for both squads.

Denver will be the toughest team on here, with star big man Nikola Jokic giving the Mavs all they can handle. The Nuggets have actually been pretty quiet this offseason but with Jokic, anything is possible.

The Mavs will have their hands full, but they have an improved roster to help them compete with these teams.

For more on the Mavericks, stay tuned.