Luka Doncic’s exit quickly exposed the Dallas Mavericks’ true colors. A team largely dependent on its Slovenian star was now struggling with a series of injuries. Anthony Davis came in with a troubled adductor, sat out for a while before his debut, and then returned to the injury list after his first game. While Kyrie Irving, in the absence of his ‘hermano’ Luka, stood out as the sole hope for the Mavs, he also left the scene with a torn ACL.
As a result, the Mavericks now stand at a crossroads with the future of these superstars. Is the franchise ready to invest and entrust? Are they ready to risk the future with two injury-prone, aging stars?
Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis’s future is in question
Just so you know, Kyrie signed a three-year, $120 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks. Meanwhile, his comeback to the court seems more bleak than ever, all thanks to the torn ACL he acquired earlier in March 2025. This simply means Kai is about to miss a major part of the 2025-26 season. Thus, throwing his future with the Mavs into a major question.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps broke down the situation on The Hoop Collective podcast. To be precise, it’s more of a scrutiny, but in all fairness, we need this. According to Bontemps, Patrick Dumont, Nico Harrison, and the front office are presumably developing the future foundation around AD and Kyrie. “This is the foundation on which he is staking the flag that this thing is going to march forward into the future,” Bontemps specified.
“If you’re staking things on a 33-year-old dude who’s got a torn ACL and Anthony Davis. To me, my expectation for this summer is that the Dallas Mavericks are going to make another big old swing at something,” Tim Bontemps claimed. He believes the team won’t trade Davis, despite his age and injury concerns in his otherwise stellar career. At the same time, it’s most unlikely that the Mavericks to move Irving as well. But that’s what everyone believed in Luka’s case!
Feb 8, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) and forward Anthony Davis (3) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Bontemps further added: “Because if you’re not trading Anthony Davis, like I would argue they should. But they’re clearly not going to. Then you are probably going the other way. And you’re making another big swing with the limited assets that they have left.” Surely, there are talks that the Mavs might trade Daniel Gafford this offseason as they look into the future with Davis and Dereck Lively II in the frontcourt.
But, Kyrie? Can he reignite the same fire he’s shown in the past after coming back from his injury? Curious minds eagerly await to see what the future holds for the veteran point guard. Anthony Davis is making $43.2 million this season, and his future with the Mavs seems sorted, maybe. Meanwhile, boss Patrick Dumont backs Nico Harrison, revealing a rare story of desperation.
Amidst Mavericks’ concerns with injured and aging players, Nico Harrison’s new side emerges
So, days after Luka Doncic’s homecoming, Nico Harrison appeared before the media. On Monday, the Dallas Mavericks invited a hand-selected group of media for the GM for a “small media roundtable discussion” on Tuesday. Moreover, the Mavs invited the media to a private event at the American Airlines Center. No cameras or recordings are allowed. The team will share a transcript later, but the reason for the secrecy remains unclear.
Therefore, Tim MacMahon, who recently spoke to some executives, stated: “Everybody asks me about Nico’s job security all the time. And all I can say is to this point, Patrick Dumont has given him strong public support.” Patrick Dumont once admitted that he thought Harrison was joking when he brought the idea of trading before him. However, the owner hasn’t spent a day since the trade distancing himself from the GM. Instead, he’s supported his actions openly, taking a jab at the Slovenian star.
Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks general manger Nico Harrison look on during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
“I think this press conference could be considered proof that Patrick Dumont has some significant concerns, duh, but this executive is saying, man, I hope he makes another transaction cycle. It’s always good to have a desperate GM out there,” MacMahon concluded. However, the fresh press conference suggests Dumont may have concerns. Maybe that is why most things remain a secret? At the same time, an executive hopes Harrison will make another move, as a desperate GM can be beneficial. It could be another blockbuster trade, who knows?
As the Mavericks’ future hangs in the balance, it’s clear that bold decisions loom. With aging stars, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, injuries, and uncertainty clouding the horizon, Nico Harrison’s job security remains a hot topic. Meanwhile, Patrick Dumont’s backing hints at a critical juncture ahead. Will the Mavs swing big this summer, or will desperation drive them to make game-changing moves? Only time will tell.
The post Anthony Davis & Kyrie Irving’s Mavs Future Faces Severe Scrutiny As Nico Harrison’s Desperation With Ownership Emerges appeared first on EssentiallySports.
