The Dallas Mavericks headed into the 2025-26 season looking to validate “the vision” laid out by team general manager Nico Harrison, when he offloaded five-time All-NBA First Team franchise superstar Luka Doncic and big men Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for a package headlined by 10-time All-Star center/power forward Anthony Davis.
The Mavericks subsequently selected standout Duke power forward Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. While nine-time All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving rehabs an ACL tear, Harrison brought in former one-time All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell to serve as his substitute.
Instead, the team’s season has already crumbled.
Harrison, who had been so inundated with “Fire Nico!” chants from irate fans who appreciated Doncic a lot more than he did that the Mavericks had reportedly given him a special exit ramp to leave home games, was let go by team governor Patrick Dumont - just nine months after he made that faithful trade.
Head coach Jason Kidd was immediately turned off by the D’Angelo Russell Experience, and has tried everything from playing the 6-foot-10 Flagg at point guard to playing undrafted two-way rookie signing Ryan Nembhard over Russell.
Invariably, the perennially hurt Davis is hurt again. He has suited up for just 14 regular season games, total (plus two play-in tournament games), since being acquired by Dallas. Davis has missed the Mavericks’ last eight straight games this season with a calf injury.
After the ailment was re-appraised by Mavericks medical staff, Dallas revealed that Davis will miss at least the next seven-to-10 days. At that point, Dallas will reassess Davis.
This story will be updated…
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