Dallas Mavericks season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

The Dallas Mavericks are in the process of reinventing themselves after the disastrous Luka Doncic trade, and the past few months have reshaped the franchise ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.

Former Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri was hired this offseason to be the Mavericks’ new team president, and former ESPN NBA draft analyst Mike Schmitz, most recently an assistant GM with the Portland Trail Blazers, was tabbed to be the new Dallas GM. They then made a huge splash by hiring Dusty May as the franchise’s new coach after he led Michigan to the 2026 national championship in college basketball.

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On the court, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II are expected to return from lengthy injury absences, and they’re set to play alongside reigning NBA rookie of the year Cooper Flagg. They’ll be surrounded by a mixture of reliable veterans and an intriguing collection of newcomers, including four drafted rookies, that could force May into some tough (and awkward) lineup decisions.

There’s enough talent to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2024 NBA Finals but also a lot of variables to overcome.

Here’s a breakdown of the Dallas Mavericks offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:

DALLAS MAVERICKS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos

NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before the NBA Draft at Barclays Center.

(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)

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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos

NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before the NBA Draft at Barclays Center.

(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)

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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos

NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with AJ Dybantsa after h is drafted first overall by the Washington Wizards during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.

(Arturo Holmes, Getty Images)

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Every player selected in the NBA Draft 2026 first round in photos

NBA commissioner Adam Silver…

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Publish date : 2026-09-21 09:47:00

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