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The Dallas Mavericks fully leaned into a new era for the organization this season after hearing the calls from MFFLs everywhere — first, by firing general manager Nico Harrison; and next, severing ties to the major connection to the Luka Doncic trade by moving Anthony Davis. The trade deadline reset the books for the future to build around Cooper Flagg. Yes, there are still pieces of the past on the team (for now) — six players from the 2024 NBA Finals team are still in Dallas. But there is no doubt the direction this team is heading and who is at its core.

In the coming months the team will hire a new general manager, someone who according to recent reporting from The Athletic’s Christian Clark will be valued for their previous experience and unlikely to be an “out-of-the-box” hire. That’s good, great in fact. The team previously took the creative approach and it netted them sending away one of the league’s best players overnight in exchange for 29 games of backbreaking fun. A stabilizing force in the front office is smart.

And while they can’t afford creativity there, they can absolutely afford creativity in rebranding the franchise.

We’ve been loud about this in the past. I did a deep dive on this nearly seven years ago to the day. It is baffling this team essentially has the same visual identity they had 25 years ago. And for those who haven’t been paying attention at home you won’t be surprised to learn that their artwork looks 25 years old.

They introduced a new-millenia inspired design in 2001 and haven’t looked back, or forward for that matter. Since then they’ve basically hit shuffle on a three-song playlist, surprised when the same song keeps playing and we’re tired of the hits.

The team has been forgiven of their sins by reintroducing green alternate jerseys recently. It feels so obvious that those retro designs are a hit and should be folded into the core design. But even if it isn’t, we can’t keep looking at this a quarter century later.

Especially when they’ve passed up several obvious opportunities recently to revamp their look, aligning with logical shifts in mini-eras:

• 2019: The team traded their way to Doncic, and after spending a full season next to Dirk Nowitzki, Doncic ushered in a new era. This was the spring I last made this plea. It made too much sense, and yet the Mavericks (and Mark Cuban) did nothing.
• Summer of 2024: The Mavericks had just been sold to the Adelson’s at the start of the year, were fresh off a finals run, and at the time it felt like the start of something new in Dallas. They did nothing.
• Summer of 2025: We’ve already walked through what led to this moment. If the Mavericks were smart they would have rebranded after drafting Cooper Flagg. But they (Nico) believed they were actually contenders and not, in fact, starting a new era. They were starting a new era.

So why not now? The team is officially Flagg’s. This summer they will draft in the top eight and conceivably add Cooper’s future longterm running mate. Trying to pin it to the timeline of a new arena doesn’t make sense — we’re at least five years from that time. It would be one thing if this look felt cool in a retro way, felt timeless in a classic way. But the basketball branding look of AOL instant messenger isn’t timeless.

The time to do it is now. Give new life to the look of the Mavericks brand identity, as they build what this franchise looks like in a fully new era. One that isn’t connected to former times, one that doesn’t overlap with franchise cornerstones. Make this team fully Flagg’s.

As we enter the home stretch of the 2025-26 NBA season, there’s no denying that it’s been a topsy-turvy couple of months for the Atlanta Hawks. At the end of November, Atlanta’s record stood at 13-8, they had picked up nine wins in their last twelve outings and were sitting as the five-seed in the East – perched above teams like Boston, Cleveland and Philadelphia in the conference standings.

Now, 11 weeks and 22 losses later, I wouldn’t blame you for wondering whether that late November surge will be remembered as the apex of the Hawks season. 

December was not kind to Atlanta, and in retrospect, proved to be a watershed month for the franchise. Amid a nebulous, illness-related absence for Kristaps Porzingis*, as well as an unsuccessful attempt to reintegrate Trae Young into the lineup**, Atlanta managed just three wins in their next 14 games, slipping all the way down to the 10-seed in the East. 

_{*After appearing in 12 out of the Hawks first 21 games, Kristaps Porzingis played just twice in the month of December – scoring 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting (4-for-7 from downtown) in a 1-point loss to Denver on December 5th, then chipping in with 16 points in 17 minutes in a New Years Eve drubbing of the Minnesota Timberwolves.} 

_{**Young was sidelined from October 30th to December 17th due to an MCL sprain suffered early in the season. His return to action coincided with a six-game losing streak before the team shut him down and eventually traded him on January 7th.}

Atlanta’s defense, which had played a vital role in their early-season success, deserves the brunt of the blame for their December woes. After allowing 113.1 points per 100 possessions through the first 21 games of the season (good for the 11th-ranked defensive unit in the league), the Hawks allowed 119.8 points per 100 possessions in December – a mark which ranked 27th in the league over that span. 

While Porzingis’ absence and Young’s presence* did nothing to aid their efforts on the less glamorous end of the floor, looking at the raw shooting numbers, though there wasn’t a significant change in where their opponents were shooting from, the most damaging difference between October/November and December was seen in their opponent’s three-point accuracy – with their opponents converting 37.8% of their looks from the perimeter in the month of December (fifth-highest opponent 3P% over this span) after shooting just 34% through the first 21 games of the season (seventh-lowest opponent 3P% over this span).

_{*Atlanta allowed an eye-watering 129 points per 100 possessions with Young on the court in December (141 minutes across five games) relative to 116.2 points per 100 possessions with him on the bench.} 

In addition to their opponents shooting better from the perimeter, another factor that negatively impacted Atlanta’s defense in December was that they weren’t forcing as many turnovers as they were early on in the season. Per cleaningtheglass, the Hawks pressured their opponents into committing turnovers on 16.2% of their possessions (the fourth-highest rate in the league) through the first 21 games of the season, however in December, that number dropped to 14.2% – slightly below the league average.

After that disastrous December, the first seven weeks of 2026 have been marked by fluidity up and down the roster. Young was shipped off to Washington on January 7th, with CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert coming Atlanta’s way in the trade.

Porzingis continued to play sporadically – suiting up in three out of Atlanta’s first four games of the new year before reclaiming his spot on the injury report due to a bout with left Achilles tendonitis. Atlanta would eventually trade him to Golden State for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield at the trade deadline on February 5th, bringing the Latvian’s stint in Atlanta to an end after playing in just 17 out of a possible 52 games this season.

With Porzingis’ spot in the rotation up for grabs, the Hawks gave in-house options Mouhamed Gueye and Asa Newell an extended look as the back-up ‘5’, though when neither played impressed, the team went out and signed fourth-year big, Christian Koloko to a two-way contract on January 16th for some additional depth at the position. Koloko got his first taste of action on January 21st, logging 11 minutes in a two-point victory against Memphis, and played valiantly in each of the next six games before being replaced in the rotation by veteran big-man, Jock Landale* – who was acquired by the Hawks on deadline day for cash considerations. Coming out of the All-Star break, the spot appears to be Landale’s to lose. 

_{*Landale had averaged 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in 24 minutes per game on 51/38/67 shooting splits (FG/3PT/FT) across 45 appearances (25 starts) for the Memphis Grizzlies this season before being traded to Atlanta.}

Still, integrating McCollum and Kispert as well as settling on a back-up ‘5’ weren’t the only rotation questions the Hawks have faced since the calendar flipped. After exploding for a season-high 25 points against New Orleans on January 7th, Zaccharie Risacher missed the next three weeks due to a bone contusion in his left knee. Onyeka Okongwu was sidelined for four games after suffering a gruesome dental fracture against the Celtics on January 28th. Both Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson have missed time due to nagging lower body injuries. 

The Hawks were active in the trade market as well. In addition to the transactions outlined above, on February 1st they traded fan-favorite, Vit Krejci, to the Portland Trail Blazers for two future second-round picks and Duop Reath (who was subsequently waived). On February 5th, they flipped Luke Kennard to the Los Angeles Lakers in return for Gabe Vincent and a future second-rounder. 

Amid all the changes, the Hawks have gone 10-11 since the beginning of January, and with 26 games remaining in the regular season, find themselves in a precarious position as far as the 2025-26 season is concerned*. With a record of 26-30, they are clinging to the 10-seed in the East – sitting just 1.5 games ahead of Chicago and Milwaukee for a spot in the Play-In tournament. 

_{*Thanks to their front office’s maneuvering, Atlanta has ample cap space this summer.}

With Giannis Antetokounmpo slated to return to action for Milwaukee, the Charlotte Hornets surging (9-1 over their last 10 games), and teams like Miami and Orlando still playing hard-nosed hoops, postseason basketball is far from guaranteed for the Hawks. We’ll find out what this team is made of over the next few weeks.

Entering this crucial stretch of the season, here’s my projection of Atlanta’s depth chart, with a look at the updated cap sheet below (salary figures from Spotrac). 

Ahead of the home-stretch, these are two burning questions facing the Atlanta Hawks.

What’s wrong with the offense?

While the Hawks have patched things up on defense since December – allowing 113.3 points per 100 possessions since January 1st (similar to their performance through the first 21 games) – their offense has crumbled, with the team managing just 111 points per 100 possessions over this span, a mark which ranks 27th* in the NBA. It would be easy to pin this drop-off on the departure of Trae Young, who, for all of his flaws, remains one of the best offensive floor-raisers in the league, however I would push back on this notion given that the Hawks posted a 115.3 offensive rating between October 31st and December 15th (22 games) when Young was sidelined with an MCL sprain. 

_{*Tied with the Sacramento Kings – never a good sign.}

Comparing Atlanta’s offensive performance from that stretch without Young to their offense since January 1st, a few things stand out. First, while the Hawks have continued to play fast, they have actually done a better job taking care of the ball in the new year, posting an offensive turnover rate of 12.6% since January 1st, the fourth-lowest mark in the league and a vast improvement from their early season stretch without Young, when they were committing turnovers on 15.6% of their possessions. 

Additionally, while the Hawks free-throw and offensive rebounding rates have remained quite low, the main thing that’s hurt their offense has been the dramatic decline in shooting efficiency – with Atlanta ranking just 22nd in effective field-goal percentage since January 1st after ranking seventh during the early season stretch. 

Taking a closer look at their offensive shot profile, while the Hawks have indeed shot slightly worse from the perimeter, the driving factor behind this drop off has been the team’s struggles at the basket. Since January 1st, the Hawks have shot just 62.3% within five feet – the second-worst mark in the league, and a far cry from their rim efficiency from earlier in the season, when they were converting these looks at close to a 70% clip. 

Looking at the individual player’s finishing numbers below, the culprits begin to emerge. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, whose finishing wasn’t great to begin with, has shot just 55% at the rim since January 1st. Onyeka Okongwu, who was converting these looks at a 71% clip earlier in the season, has shot just 59% over this span. New addition, Corey Kispert, who has shot 73% at the rim for his career hasn’t been able to replicate this form in Atlanta, shooting just 57% at the rim in a Hawks uniform. Mouhamed Gueye and Zaccharie Risacher have seen significant declines as well, shooting just 52% and 57% respectively since January 1st.

Additionally, while Jalen Johnson has continued to finish at a high rate, he’s seen a significant decline in his rim-attempts over the past few weeks – averaging just 4.3 attempts per game since January 1st compared to 5.8 attempts per game during the early season stretch. 

It’s unclear what’s behind this drop off in the team’s finishing ability. The Hawks are playing just as fast, and are getting out in transition at the same exact rate as they were during the early season stretch. If I had to guess, I would say that the fluidity in the rotation as well as the process of integrating their new players took a bit of a toll on the team’s spacing, leading to more difficult attempts at the rim – though if that has indeed been the case, these issues should be ironed out as this new group grows more comfortable playing with each other. 

I also think that Jalen Johnson taking 1.5 fewer rim-attempts per game since January 1st is significant, as he is the team’s best rim finisher. If the Hawks are going to turn things around, I’d expect him to be a big part of the improvement – directly (getting to the basket more) or indirectly (using his playmaking prowess to create cleaner looks at the rim for his teammates).

All that to say, this team’s ability to finish at the rim is the no. 1 area to watch for me coming out of the All-Star break. 

What will Kuminga bring to the table?

Speaking of rim finishing, it is quite important to note that the Hawks added a dynamic finisher at the trade deadline in 23 year-old Jonathan Kuminga, formerly of the Golden State Warriors. While it’s unclear when Kuminga will make his Hawks debut – he’s been sidelined since January 23rd due to a bone bruise in his left knee – the former no. 7 pick has shot 71.6% at the rim for his career (on 3.6 attempts per game) and should help the Hawks put pressure on the rim on offense. 

While Kuminga’s finishing hasn’t been up to his usual standards this season (62.7% in 20 appearances for Golden State), this has been an extremely strange season for the 23 year-old. 

Kuminga has long been dissatisfied with his situation in Golden State, where the franchise’s push to maximize the twilight of Steph Curry’s career clashed with their ability/willingness to afford him the runway required to reach his potential. Last year was the final year of Kuminga’s rookie contract, and over the summer, despite Kuminga voicing his desire to play elsewhere, his status as a restricted free agent proved to be a difficult hurdle in negotiations with other teams, and ultimately, he returned to the Warriors on a two-year deal – with a team-option for the second season.

After starting the first 12 games of the 2025-26 season, Kuminga suffered a knee injury, and never found a consistent role when he was cleared to return. He appeared in just eight more games for Golden State, before requesting a trade on January 15th – the first day he was eligible to be traded after signing a new contract this summer. 

It was a peculiar situation, and one that was hard to assess from the outside looking in (no matter how hard ESPN tries), but regardless, I did go back and watch most of Kuminga’s actions from this season. The two clips below are just a taste of the level of athleticism that he brings to the table, and despite the down year efficiency-wise, I remain bullish on his finishing ability.

I mean… holy smokes. 

Still, it’s important to remember that Kuminga is far from a finished product. A few areas for him to improve on offense include his shot selection, decision making and outside shooting. 

As far as the shot selection, I’d like to see Kuminga cut down the number of mid-range attempts he takes and increase the number of rim-attempts as the latter is a more efficient shot. Kuminga’s rim shooting frequency was upwards of 40% in each of his first three seasons, however last year just 31% of his attempts came from this area of the floor, with the number rising to 34.5% this season. Conversely, he’s taken roughly 40% of his looks from the mid-range over the past two seasons. If he can eschew some of these mid-range looks for some more attempts at the rim in Atlanta, I like the fit on offense. 

In terms of his decision making, Kuminga posted the highest turnover rate of his career (4.7 turnovers per 100 possessions) this season in Golden State – with many of these turnovers coming down to simply making a bad read, or losing control of the ball on the gather*. Given how fast Atlanta plays, how Kuminga finds the balance between being aggressive on offense and taking care of the ball will be an important area to watch when he returns to the court. 

_{*To be frank, they looked like turnovers one might expect to see from a rookie forward, not a fifth-year player.}

Last but not least, Kuminga’s outside shot has been fairly inconsistent throughout his career (33.1% on 4 attempts per 75 possessions), and while I don’t expect him to suddenly evolve into a high-volume outside shooter in Atlanta, it would be nice to see some improvement in this area before the team makes a decision on his second-year option. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Kuminga has the athletic tools to be a high-level defender and has ranked in the 77th percentile or better in defensive-EPM in each of the past three seasons per dunksandthrees. While his steal/block rates have ranked right around the average for his position, he has ranked in the 75th percentile or better in Bball-Index’s defensive positional versatility metric (indicating the extent to which he guarded various positions) and has rated favorably in their perimeter isolation defensive metric in each year after his rookie season. He won’t be a liability on the defensive end. 

Atlanta will have to wait a little longer to see Kuminga in action – as it was announced yesterday that he is ‘progressing’ in his recovery from a bone bruise in his left knee and will be re-evaluated in one week. Given how strange his situation was in Golden State, Kuminga is viewed as one of the most enigmatic players in the entire league, and will have a lot to prove over the final eight weeks of the 2025-26 season.

Count him out at your own risk. 

Cooper Flagg's NBA debut jersey sold privately via Sotheby's earlier this month for $1 million, the auction house announced Thursday morning.

The price is a record for any Flagg-related collectible and comes mid-way through his rookie campaign, during which he is averaging 20.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Dallas Mavericks.

"The $1 million result for Cooper Flagg’s rookie debut jersey is a powerful testament to the significance collectors place on true ‘first moments’ in sport," Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles, said in a statement. "This jersey captures the very beginning of a special career, one carrying huge expectations and excitement.”

Flagg's Summer League debut jersey sold in August for $95,250 in a Sotheby's auction.

Sotheby's is the NBA's official game-worn partner, and generally offers jerseys from key games in public auctions, such as the 2023 sale of Victor Wembanyama's debut jersey for $762,000. However, the auction house has recently become more strategic with its inventory, holding back jerseys that have the potential to gain in value.

Collectors will have the chance to scoop up other key rookie debut jerseys at auction this month, however, as Sotheby's will sell gamers from the first games of VJ Edgecombe, Kon Knueppel, Dylan Harper, Derik Queen and more, with bidding opening Thursday.

Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.

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The second half of the 2025-26 campaign begins tonight as the Houston Rockets visit the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. 

Kevin Durant was shooting the three well before the ASG break, and my Rockets vs Hornets predictions are eyeing him to keep it rolling. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Thursday, February 19. 

Rockets vs Hornets prediction

Rockets vs Hornets best bet: Kevin Durant Over 2.5 made threes (+120)

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant is nicknamed "Easy Money Sniper" for a reason. The future Hall of Famer is averaging 2.3 makes from downtown this season on 5.8 attempts for an impressive 40.3% clip. 

Before the All-Star break, KD cashed the Over in triples in back-to-back contests, going 3-for-9 and 3-for-7, with both of those games coming against the Los Angeles Clippers. 

The veteran is shooting the triple even better on the road, averaging 2.6 makes for a 44% clip. In one meeting with the Charlotte Hornets earlier this month, Durant could barely miss, going 3-for-4 from deep.

Rockets vs Hornets same-game parlay

Alperen Sengun is not only an imposing big man but also Houston's top playmaker, averaging 6.3 dimes this season, and I’m eyeing him to facilitate at a high level tonight, which will help KD get more looks from deep. 

The Turkish center has cashed the Over in assists in two of his last three appearances. He’s also averaging 6.5 dimes on the road compared to 6.0 at home. 

The Rockets won two straight heading into the break, and they’ve emerged victorious in four of their last six against Charlotte. 

Rockets vs Hornets SGP

• Kevin Durant Over 2.5 made threes
• Alperen Sengun Over 5.5 assists
• Rockets moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: Reed is the Sheppard

Reed Sheppard was on fire before the ASG break, hitting the Over in three consecutive outings. He scored a minimum of 16 points in each game.

Rockets vs Hornets SGP

• Kevin Durant Over 2.5 made threes
• Alperen Sengun Over 5.5 assists
• Rockets moneyline
• Reed Sheppard Over 10.5 points

Rockets vs Hornets odds

• Spread: Rockets -4.5 (-110) | Hornets +4.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Rockets -190 | Hornets +160
• Over/Under: Over 216.5 (-110) | Under 216.5 (-110)

Rockets vs Hornets betting trend to know

The Rockets have hit the Game Total Under in 28 of their last 40 games (+14.80 Units / 34% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Hornets.

How to watch Rockets vs Hornets

Rockets vs Hornets latest injuries

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The NBA All-Star break didn’t do much good for either the Indiana Pacers or Washington Wizards, as both have a laundry list of inactive players as they open a two-game set in the U.S. Capitol tonight.

It’s a battle between the two worst teams in the East, and my Pacers vs. Wizards predictions and free NBA picks target the Under on Thursday, February 19.

Pacers vs Wizards prediction

Pacers vs Wizards best bet: Under 232.5 (-110)

The Washington Wizards have the second-worst scoring defense in basketball, but the Indiana Pacers aren’t in a position to take advantage.

Pascal Siakam, Ivica Zubac, and Obi Toppin are out, while T.J. McConnell and Aaron Nesmith are questionable. Indiana already ranks third-worst in scoring at 111.1 points per game.

The Wizards can’t capitalize, as Anthony Davis and Trae Young still haven’t debuted, and Alex Sarr is on the shelf.

The Pacers have won six of seven in this head-to-head, but with roster uncertainty, stick to the Under, which has hit in three straight meetings.

Pacers vs Wizards same-game parlay

Andrew Nembhard is one of Indiana's few fully healthy regulars, and he’s been dealing, racking up at least nine dimes in seven of his last 11 games, missing the Over by an assist the other two times.
 
Jarace Walker led the Pacers in scoring with 24 last game against Brooklyn, but his follow-up hasn’t been great: in three previous games where he’s gone for 20+, he’s never scored more than 15 in the next game.

Pacers vs Wizards SGP

• Under 232.5
• Andrew Nembhard Over 8.5 assists
• Jarace Walker Under 17.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Three's a crowd

Let’s stick with this backcourt-frontcourt combo as we round out our big money SGP.

Nembhard’s 2.5 line on made threes is too inflated, considering the most moneyballs he’s ever hit in a game in nine career games vs. the Wiz is one.

Walker, meanwhile, has a gettable 1.5 line. He’s hit at least two triples in 12 of his last 16 games.

Pacers vs Wizards SGP

• Under 232.5
• Andrew Nembhard Over 8.5 assists
• Jarace Walker Under 17.5 points
• Andrew Nembhard Under 2.5 made threes
• Jarace Walker Over 1.5 made threes

Pacers vs Wizards odds

• Spread: Pacers -2.5 (-110) | Wizards +2.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Pacers -140 | Wizards +120
• Over/Under: Over 232.5 (-110) | Under 232.5 (-110)

Pacers vs Wizards betting trend to know

Washington has covered the spread in seven of its last eight home games vs teams with a losing record. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Wizards.

How to watch Pacers vs Wizards

Pacers vs Wizards latest injuries

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The Dallas Mavericks (19-35) have sharply fallen out of the play-in race, seven games behind the 10th-place Los Angeles Clippers in the West. As Dallas enters the final third of the season, the Mavericks are looking to snap a nine-game losing streak. As play-in hopes continue to dwindle, the Mavericks will take a serious look (if they haven’t already) at “tanking” to maximize draft positioning ahead of the loaded 2026 NBA Draft.

Cooper Flagg is THE guy

The first reason is obvious — let’s just keep watching Cooper Flagg. Not enough can be said about the 19-year-old from Duke. He stepped onto the NBA hardwood with sky-high expectations, being one of the highest-touted players this century, in the same conversation as guys like LeBron James, Victor Wembanyama, and Zion Williamson. Flagg has not disappointed.

In his rookie campaign, Flagg is averaging 20.4 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. He’s also proved his value defensively, averaging 2.0 stocks (steals and blocks) per game. Curious what other rookies have averaged 20-6-4? It’s a small list – Luka Doncic, Tyreke Evans, LeBron James, and Oscar Robertson. That’s good company.

One of Flagg’s strengths is his ability to adjust, and he’s done just that over 54 games. In his first 10 games, Flagg averaged 13.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. By most rookie measuring sticks, these are great numbers. But with Flagg came higher expectations, and he’s delivered. Over his past 10 games, Flagg is averaging 25.3 points per game, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, including a stretch where he scored 30+ points in four consecutive games against the Celtics, Rockets, Spurs, and Hornets.

These numbers, even for Flagg, are almost too impressive to comprehend. It’s easy as a Mavericks fan to be spoiled with numbers coming off the Luka Doncic era, thinking these are normal. They aren’t normal. Cooper Flagg is not normal. He’s already shown the ability to be a generational talent. The path to contention could come quicker than previously expected. The only thing the Mavericks have to do is surround their star with the right talent.

Who are the two-way guys?

Dallas will probably lose a lot of games during this final stretch. But the roster still has enough rotational talent to win enough games to keep them from a free-fall collapse. That means some decisions will be made on who suits up each night. Don’t be surprised to see some “phantom” injuries, those we didn’t know anything about, show up more on injury reports. Don’t be surprised if Dallas sits players for rest or injury management, including Flagg, who was seen wearing a boot on his injured foot during the NBA All-Star break. If the goal is to optimize draft position, the Mavericks may have to shorten the rotation and give the two-way players consistent minutes. Suit up Ryan Nembhard, Moussa Cisse and Miles Kelly. You’re up.

Dallas has no incentive to be bad next season since it doesn’t own its own draft pick. The focus will likely shift to getting back into the playoff picture. Good teams need depth. Playoff teams need depth. These last 28 games should be an opportunity for the two-way players to prove they can be valuable rotation pieces, even if they’re the 10th, 11th, and 12th guys off the bench.

As we’ve learned in the last two seasons, every healthy body matters. Nembhard (6.7 points per game, 4.9 assists, 1.8 rebounds) has shown signs of brilliance, but does his size ultimately matter as he reverts to the mean? Cisse (3.7 points, 4.5 rebounds) is the Energizer Bunny, but he’s raw and inexperienced. Can he show enough discipline to stay out of foul trouble and play double-digit minutes on a nightly basis? Kelly (2.8 points, 1.6 rebounds) can shoot the lights out, and Dallas desperately needs shooting. But can he string together higher volume shooting nights at a high percentage? All these questions should have some answers by the end of the season.

Who are the new guys?

The rotation has changed a lot since the February 5th trade deadline. The blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum to the Washington Wizards got the Mavs a return of Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Marvin Bagley III, and Malaki Branham. Dallas re-routed Branham to the Charlotte Hornets for Tyus Jones.

That’s a lot of new names. Do any of them have a spot in the rotation next year? Now is the time to find out. The good news for the Mavericks is that the rest of the season for the newcomers is a free tryout. The new Mavs on expiring deals going into the offseason include Middleton ($33.2M), Jones ($7.0M), Johnson ($3.0M), and Bagley ($2.2M). Middleton sticks out as the obvious rental, since the 34-year-old is taking up a good chunk of cap space. However, if he decides he wants to stay in Dallas on a new deal, a cheaper version of the veteran may be an option. You know what you get with Middleton — a mid-range assassin who’s on the back end of his career but can still give you 20 points on any given night.

The other guys are interesting. The Mavericks will always be somewhat tied to Bagley because he was taken a spot earlier by the Sacramento Kings, over Luka Doncic. For being the second overall pick, Bagley has had an underwhelming career, averaging 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds. But he’s still only 26 and hasn’t been in many great winning situations, which can impact a player’s production. He’s had stops in Memphis, Detroit (before they were good), Sacramento, and Washington. Bagley could find some revitalization in Dallas, and if he does, he could be worth keeping.

Johnson was taken 23rd overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024 NBA Draft, and he just hasn’t seen the floor much. The 21-year-old is a high-flying and athletic wing who had high upside coming out of the Next Stars program in the NBL. With more minutes, he can prove he deserves a spot in the rotation.

Jones has been heavily sought after within the Mavs organization for years, and now they have him. His craftiness and ability to facilitate are needed this season, but do the Mavs have room for him next year? If the Mavs convert Nembhard to a standard NBA contract, they wouldn’t have much reason to re-sign Jones this offseason. He’s 29 years old and undersized at 6’0. With Kyrie Irving returning next season, the point guard position quickly gets crowded. Jones’s career averages of 7.4 points per game, 4.3 assists, and 1.0 steals are good, but probably not good enough to justify keeping him on the roster, unless it’s on a veteran’s minimum deal.

The new players have the opportunity to get re-established in Dallas as the Mavericks go full throttle in the Cooper Flagg era.

Don’t worry about wins and losses

The end of the season may not be pretty, but the goal should be seeing what the Mavericks currently have. What assets are good enough to keep around for the Cooper Flagg era? There’s no doubt Flagg will leap to stardom soon, and he’s worth watching every night. The only question is who’s going to be on the ship when the Mavericks start winning again. Dallas returns to play Friday, February 20, in Minnesota. Tipoff against the Timberwolves is set for 6:30 PM on ESPN.