30 Days 30 Team Mavericks: Flagg s future, Irving s present?

The Mavericks in the 2025-26 season have entered a new era, and it is time for everyone to accept Luca Doncic's departure.

Just...

Nico Harrison sent Luca away because of "wanting to fight" and "winning in the present": the Mavericks have Irving + Dark Brows, and a magnificent forward group, which is indeed very "now".

But after winning the No. 1 pick Cooper Flag... "We want to fight immediately" but got the future?

—Irving is going to recover until early 2026. He and Thick Brow are no longer young. This is the present moment.

—Frager needs to adapt to the NBA for at least half a year. This is the future.

——2025-26 season, should the Mavericks who "win in the present and fight power" seize the time to cash in on the battle power that Luca has received and rushed to compete for the championship, or to transition to a year?

I have to ask Nico Harrison...

Last season, Irving played. I think the best season in his career: his data averaged less than 25+5+5, but he took on the broken Mavericks.

He is the scoring king of the Mavericks, assist king, steal king and play time king. Kidd had been feeling sorry for him and said he had shouldered many heavy burdens. Kidd wants him to be the core quarterback of the team, and he takes the responsibility; Kidd wants him to play more without the ball, and he takes the responsibility.

In the last game of 2024 against the Trail Blazers, he scored a maximum of 46 points next season - that day the Mavericks missed Luca, Levri, Marshall and PJ Washington, and they lost, but Irving scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, dragging the game into the last moment. The label of the Mavericks last season was established by him.

"Never give up."

Marshall said this was necessary: ​​with the Mavericks' injury, if they could not keep their focus and give their all, they would be crushed by their opponents in every game. "The Mavericks never give up - this is our team spirit."

And the source and sustenance of this spirit are all Irving.

Levry and Marshall both said that when they needed to rely on, they looked at Irving. Irving stands up for the team every night. Over time, everyone was moved. So the team will also desperately support Irving and try to remove some of his burden.

"The teammates on the field are telling him with actions: We will fight side by side with you."

The Mavericks, who were injured, just hold on. Many times they don’t even fight for victory, but want to repay Irving: Irving has become the soul, bone and blood of this team.

The Mavericks lost in the 2024 finals, but Irving was very satisfied. He said this journey was unprecedented, and he felt that he had completed his self-salvation and found himself, his teammates and his team.

Then, like Kobe in 2013, he fell down with exhaustion and finally got two goals: "If I didn't punish those two goals, I would be angry for the whole year."

In the summer, Irving signed 120 million yuan for three years - he could have gone to seek 140 million yuan for three years, could jump into the contract and renew 100 million yuan for two years.

But he wants to give back to Dallas. He believes this team can win the championship. I think his No. 11 will probably retire in Dallas.

Other side, thick eyebrows.

In February, Davis was the first match for the Mavericks. In one game, Davis almost condensed his career: 24 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks in the first half, dominant performances on both offense and defense, and was injured in the third quarter.

Mavericks: Is this the Thick Eyebrow Experience Card?

On that day, Kidd gave Davis huge authority, and Davis also dominated both offense and defense.

—Luca left, is the Mavericks short of organizers? Davis served cards, with a maximum of 7 assists in the game.

- Can Than Brow and Gafford block space? They started at the beginning, each supporting a part of the inside line: it was a bit like the Cavaliers' double towers.

If Davis can play, I think he is still the best player in the league to maintain five or three: the inside end, dominating the defensive end, and an all-round position.

Just: Since 2017, Thomas has been absent in only one year but has not reached 20 games.

When Danny Brows appears, she can be one of the most outstanding finishers in the league, but starting the offense, not to mention Jokic, it may not be smoother than Sa and Shin Kyung - the organizer vacancy after Irving was injured, which is difficult for him to make up for.

Clay had the second lowest average of 14 points in his career last season, with a career-low shooting percentage of 41%.

The good news is that it scored more than 200 three-pointers in the tenth consecutive full season.

The bad news is that defense still has no hope.

If the sharpshooter in history is still good at defending, he is often good at chasing without the ball (Ray Allen), starting quickly (Curry was once the king of steals), and endless physical strength (Hamilton chases Kobe, Miller chases Jordan).

Clay's steals and rebounds and blocks are not good at data: but at the peak, a rare expert in leading and defense among sharpshooters.

He is not moving sideways and has weak explosive power. In addition to the typical predictions, details, seriousness and scrutiny of the shooters, he also has some specialty: giant outside.

Two meters high, with a large wingspan, strong lower limbs and a stable core. Harden and Paul are hard to gain the advantage of their muscle monsters by relying on their strength.

However, after a serious injury, he once relied on his excellent physique + confrontation + size + affordable speed to defend against the opponent's arrow. With a quick speed, the physique + confrontation + size can no longer be used.

Observing masters can bully the opponent with one move, but if they lack one of the defense, they will be chased and beaten.

After Christie arrived at the Mavericks, she played just like the wishes made by the Dallas media when she praised Josh Green's bright future, and occasionally shone with Josh Howard's light. But he can't replace Irving either.

So next season's Mavericks will probably start?

Russell/Exxam

Cree/Christy

Fragrage/Marshall

PJ Washington

Levry/Garford

Who can I count on to hold the ball before Irving returns?

I have a brain.

Flag draft template, said to be Pipen/Tatum. I think the extension of his tactical end may be: the 2007 European Championship version of AK47.

body size, Flag is close to Tatum/Ingram/George/Bozzer/AK47. Large forward.

panacea oil, you can use it at any position.

His body shape, large strides, smooth movement, large coverage, and perfect defense.

After grabbing the position, you can end up with a tough stern, and you can be skilled in pick-and-roll duo.

The first step, especially when the ball is held on the weak side and attacks to fill up the position, it is fast and accurate.

After grabbing the position, there will be back hit and left shoulder hook shot - in this era, there will be more wings on the right shoulder and fewer wings who will be willing to go in and hook shot.

Being competitive, working hard, and being serious, defense is the key weapon.

He can do anything. But for the time being, there is no move on the offensive end.

Saying that Flag is like Pipen is probably based on "filling all gaps, especially on the defensive end."

Compared to Tatum, the technical details are also different: Tatum relies more on long pitching feel, Flag is harder and harder: In terms of personal attack, Flag is more like Jimmy Butler - a high-ball striker, who can support and have killing. When he cannot break through with the ball, he turns into steps, floor movement, cutting, covering, and without the ball, and can integrate into the system.

If you are probably healthy, Flag is guaranteed to be PJ Washington's defense + Randall's offense.

Summer League, Flag's performance:

Without the first step of lightning, it is difficult to get out of the big gap; but there is a good confrontation, you can hang the center of gravity to play on the opponent, and you can hold it until you can use your phone; you are also good at pushing counterattacks to seize the offensive opportunity. Maintain balance during confrontation, turn around, advance, and it is very smooth.

Compared with other lean teenagers who need to grow fat, Flag already has a professional player physique. He can threaten the opponent with three threats to break through the bottom line, and is very suitable for low center of gravity confrontation + get rid of it and end in a straight line.

So: If Dallas starts the season, Russell advances to the frontcourt and Flag will take the ball and start?

- Kidd did this kind of thing:

In February 2025, when Thomas Eyebrow first played, Kidd also let Thomas Eyebrow dribble start: "I can't make new tactics for the time being. How did Luka play before? I'm off-position and find pick-and-roll... Thomas Eyebrow, you come to play Luka's position!"

A little earlier, in the Bucks, Kidd also used Giannis like this.

If you are not in a hurry to make a record in the 2025-26 season, then before Irving comes back, you might as well let Flag try holding the ball. If you try it out, catch a healthy summer when Irving + Thick Brows, plus the growth of Flag?

After all, when Flag's rookie contract was finished, Thunder Eyebrow and Irving were about to be 35 years old; sooner or later, develop early and get better soon.

Finally, let’s review the Mavericks in 2024-25 season - the most absurd season in history.

The third game of the 2024 finals, 0-2 behind. In the fourth quarter, the Celtics scored three points, Luca left the court with six fouls, and the series actually ended. Luca was criticized and no one in management protected him.

In the summer of 2024, the team signed Clay for 50 million in three years, sent Hardaway away, exchanged for Grimes, signed Marshall, and welcomed Dinwiddie back.

Send Jones Jr., and the trainer takes up the job without a license.

Before the 2024 season, Luca was injured and missed the preseason, and Exam missed half a season with a wrist fracture in the second game.

In December 2024, Luca missed five games, the whole team was flu, and Marshall was suspended.

The Christmas battle, Luca was injured and never appeared for the Mavericks again.

In January 2025, Levry suffered a stress fracture and missed 35 games. Klebe's foot fracture is reimbursed for season. Gafford had 20 knee injuries.

February, Luca trades.

March Irving fell. Hardy, Dinwiddie and Grimes all took turns to get injured in 7 days

At the end of the season, the team had only nine people activated the roster. On March 14, when there were only 8 people warming up before the game, Luca was sent away.

The medical team was exposed to have been on duty without a license.

The assistant teacher ran away collectively.

Then there is Miracle: No. 1 pick, Cooper Flag.

renewed Gafford for 3 years and 60 million; Irving jumped out of the contract and re-signed for 3 years and 120 million; he chose Flag.

Few teams experience so much in one year:

Hope, disappointment; chaos, struggle; pain, confusion; bolt from the blue, anger, despair; joy falls from the sky, hope.

Next season hovers between the present and the future, the health of Irving and Davis, Flagg and Lively's potential drifting in the wind. Who knows?

Since everything is uncertain before Irving comes back, it doesn’t matter how you try it, right?