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After the dust settled on a rollercoaster Dallas Mavericks season, all eyes move onto what comes next. After an aggressive roster overhaul a couple of months ago—including the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic packing—the Mavs hoped to compete in the Western Conference. Instead, they stumbled into inconsistency, instability, and ultimately, irrelevance. The front office now faces an offseason filled with difficult decisions and high-stakes gambles.
However, amid the chaos lies opportunity. With Kyrie Irving’s future uncertain after ACL surgery, and with just over $12 million in projected cap space, Dallas can’t afford to sit idle. General Manager Nico Harrison made it clear: “Not one person is going to be able to make up Kyrie’s production.” Still, the Mavericks need to try. If they play their cards right, the Mavericks could shape the course of their near-term future quite favorably.
A Season of Starts, Stops, and Setbacks
Dallas finished the 2024-25 regular season with a 39-43 record. They fell way short of expectations, especially after making the NBA Finals last year. They consequently missed the playoffs after losing in the NBA Play-In Tournament. The Mavericks were decimated by injuries all season long. They used a staggering 47 different starting lineups—tied for the fourth most in league history. Chemistry, rhythm, and cohesion were elusive.
And yes, of course, they also made one of the most controversial trades in recent memory, if not NBA history. In addition, Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in March and Anthony Davis barely played. Also, big men PJ Washington, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford all missed time in the final months. And yet, when the stars aligned briefly—like the 5-3 stretch when Davis and Kyrie shared the floor—the team showed signs of explosive potential.
That glimpse was short-lived. With Irving’s future hanging in the balance and a lack of continuity across the roster, the Mavs now need reinforcements.
Here we will discuss the two players whom the Dallas Mavericks must target to sign as they enter the 2025 NBA offseason.
Retain Kyrie Irving—Even with the Risks
Kyrie Irving is one of the most polarizing figures in the league. However, there’s no question about his on-court impact when healthy. Despite the season-ending ACL injury, Irving had been producing at an All-Star level. He served as the primary offensive engine after Doncic’s departure. His ability to create off the dribble, score in isolation, and serve as a clutch performer gave Dallas a fighting chance in close games. That's something they sorely lacked down the stretch.
Irving holds a $41 million player option for the 2025-26 season. As such, there are essentially two paths ahead. He can opt in and continue his rehab under the Mavs' watch. Alternatively, he can opt out and negotiate a new deal—either in Dallas or elsewhere. Given how much the front office invested in him, Dallas is likely to make every effort to retain him. This is especially true since losing him for nothing would be catastrophic.
Re-signing Irving comes with major caveats, though. Primarily, he’ll be 34. He will also be recovering from major surgery and potentially unavailable for most of next season. That said, the Mavericks need to weigh that against the bigger picture. In a league driven by stars, Dallas may not find a better option to pair with Anthony Davis long-term. Letting Irving walk after giving up Luka and other assets would be a massive step backward.
The safest bet is to offer a short-term, incentive-laden deal with team-friendly options. This would give both parties flexibility while betting on a 2026 comeback. Irving is far from a sure thing. Still, he might be Dallas’ best shot at relevance in the post-Doncic era.
A Youthful Playmaking Boost
With Irving likely sidelined for most of next season, Dallas needs a playmaker now. They need someone not just to bridge the gap, but to inject youth and vision into an aging core. That’s where Josh Giddey comes in.
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The 22-year-old guard had a strong finish to the 2024-25 season in Chicago. He showed improved decision-making, rebounding, and perimeter shooting. He’s a restricted free agent, and the Bulls are expected to make a serious effort to retain him. However, the Mavericks could make things interesting by offering a front-loaded deal or working through a sign-and-trade.
Giddey’s appeal is multifaceted. He’s a big guard at 6’8 who can handle the ball and defend multiple positions. His high basketball IQ and unselfishness would mesh well with Davis’ inside presence and open up opportunities for shooters and cutters. Most importantly, he provides stability at a position that desperately needs it in Dallas.
There’s risk involved, of course. Restricted free agents often force cap space into a waiting game while teams decide whether to match. That said, Giddey is the type of player who could become a franchise cornerstone in a few years. If the Mavs believe in his trajectory, now is the time to strike.
Financial Constraints Demand Creativity
Dallas isn’t in a position to make splashy offers outright. With 10 players already under contract, and with Irving’s player option factored in, the Mavericks are projected to be over both the luxury tax and first apron. That means flexibility is limited but not nonexistent. Harrison still has three tradable first-round picks and a collection of mid-sized contracts ($2M–$16M) that could help facilitate a deal.
Whether it’s a creative sign-and-trade for Giddey or a restructured deal to retain Irving, the Mavericks will have to navigate this offseason with surgical precision. Depth is a concern, availability is an issue, and the clock is ticking on Davis’ peak years. A splashy move isn’t necessary, but smart ones are.
Calculated Gambles Could Pay Off
The Mavericks are walking a tightrope. After gambling big on Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, the results were uneven at best. Now, they must decide whether to double down or pivot. Retaining Irving shows loyalty and continuity. Going after Giddey signals a shift toward a more sustainable build.
Either way, Dallas cannot afford to stand pat. With a depleted backcourt, no clear succession plan, and a fanbase still reeling from the post-Luka fallout, the 2025 offseason will help define whether this iteration of the Mavericks can climb back to contention—or continue their descent into mediocrity.
Two moves won’t fix everything. But these two? They’re a start.
