The Dallas Mavericks have stumbled to a 2-7 record early in the NBA season, sitting last in the Western Conference amid key injuries and roster imbalances. General manager Nico Harrison faces scrutiny over a trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers, while legend Dirk Nowitzki expressed sympathy for fans after a recent loss. The team's offensive struggles highlight the absence of a true point guard, with rookie Cooper Flagg playing out of position.
The Dallas Mavericks' disappointing start to the 2025-26 NBA season has intensified questions about the job security of general manager Nico Harrison. After trading franchise star Luka Doncic, who is now averaging 40 points per game for the 7-2 Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavericks acquired an older roster that has shortened their championship window. This move, approved by owner Patrick Dumont, has left the team with the league's worst offense through nine games, exacerbated by injuries to key players.
Kyrie Irving is sidelined until mid-season due to an ACL injury, while Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II have also missed time. ESPN's Tim MacMahon raised the issue on his Howdy Partners podcast, stating, “A legitimate question right now is: Is Nico Harrison’s job in serious jeopardy? That is an absolutely legitimate question... When you talk to people about the Mavericks around the league, it is the first question that people are asking.” MacMahon noted that the team had the summer to address the point guard void after Irving's injury, but D’Angelo Russell has not filled the gap effectively.
The Mavericks' woes were evident in their 118-104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, dropping them to 2-7. They rank dead last in offensive rating at 103.2 and 29th in three other key offensive categories. Dallas relies on a starting lineup of Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, D’Angelo Russell, and Max Christie, but production has been inconsistent.
Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, an NBA on Prime analyst, commented after the Grizzlies defeat: “I feel bad for my Mavs fans. This has been a disastrous start… obviously there’s a hole at point guard and the playmaking position… so there’s a hole at shot creation, there’s a hole at shot-making... They’re practically on pace to have a record bad start on offense… nobody can make shots. It’s been tough to watch.” The No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg shows promise but is adjusting to playing point forward as a rookie. The team faces the Washington Wizards next, with their early luck in drafting Flagg offering limited grace for management.