Are Dallas Mavericks overrated or underrated heading into 2025-26 season?

The Dallas Mavericks are a team that has split opinions around the NBA.

Some think they can be contenders for a championship.

Others, like Ricky O'Donnell at SB Nation , believe they're overrated.

Dallas was a good team last year, hampered by injuries and bad trades, which forced them out of the NBA postseason, losing in the Play-In Tournament.

Those injuries could carry into the season, as Kyrie Irving will miss at least half the season recovering from ACL surgery, Dereck Lively II had a procedure this offseason to remove bone spurs in his foot, and Anthony Davis had a procedure to repair a detached retina.

READ MORE: NBA insider provides Luka Doncic update on feelings about Mavericks O'Donnell was reacting to ESPN's way-too-early power rankings for the 2025-26 season, one that had the Mavericks 13th.

Here is why he believes they're overrated.

"Kyrie Irving is very likely out of the year as he rehabs a torn ACL.

In his absence, Dallas has a notable lack of ball handling, with free agent addition DAngelo Russell and holdover Dante Exum being the only things resembling a point guard on this roster.

ESPN has the Mavericks as the 8th best team in the West, ahead of the Grizzlies, Spurs, and Trail Blazers.

"My guess is two of those three teams finish with a better record than Dallas, and the Mavs will be back in the lottery this season.

Cooper Flagg is going to be awesome as a rookie, but its important to remember hell be the youngest player in the NBA this season.

"The Anthony Davis-Dereck Lively II front line is super intriguing, but Im a bit worried about the spacing, as well as ADs consistently inconsistent availability.

This is likely going to be among the worst three-point shooting teams in the league, and Im not confident that the defense can make up for it." What Are the Expectations for the 2025-26 Mavericks? The Dallas Mavericks believe they're contenders once Kyrie Irving returns, but it's unknown exactly when he'll return.

He has said he's going to take his time to make sure he comes back fully healthy, but Nico Harrison said at the NBA Summer League a few weeks ago that Irving is ahead of schedule.

Until Irving returns, this roster doesn't make much sense.

They have little playmaking, especially if D'Angelo Russell struggles as much as he did last season.

Cooper Flagg will be asked to be an on-ball initiator a lot, and rookies often don't drive winning, even when they're great.

So, what should the expectations be? They need to be a .500 team until Irving returns.

If they can do that, they'll give themselves a chance to be competitive down the stretch of the season and in the postseason.

READ MORE: Controversial NBA analyst wants to remind you how 'special' Anthony Davis is Stick with MavericksGameday for more FREE coverage of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the offseason Follow MavericksGameday on Twitter and Austin Veazey on Twitter More Dallas Mavericks News Mavericks sign key piece to $54 million extension amid trade rumors Kyrie Irving makes massive decision on his future with Mavericks Sequence between Cooper Flagg, Bronny James goes viral during Mavericks-Lakers BREAKING: Mavericks officially select Cooper Flagg first overall in 2025 NBA Draft.

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