Are the Dallas Mavericks Flying Under the Radar as Championship Contenders?

This may be somewhat of a strange premise, given that the Dallas Mavericks, with less than a two percent chance of winning the lottery, bucked those odds to select Duke’s Cooper Flagg with the first overall selection in the draft. 

It’s the first step in rebuilding a team that went just 39-43 last season, eventually losing to the Memphis Grizzlies in the ‘play-in’ portion of the playoffs. That was an 11-game slide off the 2023-24 season in which the Mavs eventually won the Western Conference.

It’s been a recent roller coaster in Big D, as the Dallas Mavericks’ last four seasons ended, respectively, with 52, 38, 50, and 39 victories.

As of this early-July writing, it’s the Mavericks listed at 28-1 (+2800) to win the next title, according to NBA championship futures odds. Dallas is now 15 years removed from its lone Larry O’Brien Trophy, hoisted by the Dirk Nowitzki-led squad of 2010-11. 

So, which version of the Dallas Mavericks are going to be on display? Are they to be taken seriously, or is this a team that may have to scratch and claw just to make the NBA playoffs?

Remember, the team is in the same (Southwest) division as the Kevin Durant-enriched Houston Rockets, thus not making its job any easier.

Perhaps it’s best to see the Mavericks’ roster in its entirety before a final verdict. With a nucleus of a ‘plays-all-five positions’ Flagg, the oft-injured Anthony Davis, and the currently injured Kyrie Irving, Dallas shouldn’t be a bottom-feeding entity. The team imported free-agent D’Angelo Russell while Irving (ACL) recovered.  

Then, there’s the elephant in the room, as in LeBron James. As was mentioned, James did ‘opt-in’ with the Los Angeles Lakers. That hasn’t quelled the speculation about the league’s all-time leading scorer leaving SoCal.

While the Lakers are minuscule 1-10 (-1000) choices to retain the services of James, there is certainly sufficient intrigue surrounding where he plays next season, if not in LA. Looking at the BetUS board, what would be a third stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers or a reunion with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving in Dallas are co-favored at 5-2 (+250).

Here’s a primer on the Dallas Mavericks, among the hardest-to-figure teams in the league …

Who Owns the Dallas Mavericks?

Currently, the Dallas Mavericks are co-owned by Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont, acquiring a controlling (73 percent) interest (reported $3.5 billion) in January of 2024; Adelson, widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, is a physician and newspaper owner.

Adelson, Dumont, and former majority owner Mark Cuban are entrusted with overseeing the Mavs’ quest to return to the NBA Finals.

Does Mark Cuban Still Own the Mavericks?

Nope, at least not wholly, that after ceding controlling interest in the team (see above). Cuban 

 only retains 27 percent of the Mavericks, though he’s overseeing the basketball operations of the Dallas Mavericks games. 

Does BetUS Offer Constant Updates on NBA Game Betting Lines?

Indeed. There is wagering on individual games, as well as additional props involving teams and players. If you’re a ‘long-term’ investor, there are futures out there in any number of specific categories, including division, conference, and NBA title winners. That last wager is as popular as any involving NBA game odds.

As with other wagers, NBA championship futures odds are fluid, thus subject to change.   

Any Final Thoughts?

Anyone who pays even marginal attention to NBA news and NBA rumors is acutely aware of the Dallas Mavericks. Whether they’re going to be legit or left in the dust next season is among the more intriguing storylines around the NBA.