What Are the Mavericks Aiming for? Do They Have a Plan That Outsiders Can’t Understand Without Luka Doncic?

For years, the Dallas Mavericks were built around one generational talent—Luka Doncic. Every move, every trade, and every coaching decision was made with one goal in mind: to maximize Luka’s prime and bring an NBA championship back to Dallas.

But now, with rumors swirling and uncertainty growing, fans and analysts alike are left wondering what exactly the Mavericks’ long-term plan is. Are they still building around Luka? Or is there a bigger picture that outsiders simply don’t understand yet?

The Kyrie Irving Factor: A Gamble That Hasn’t Paid Off Yet

When the Mavericks traded for Kyrie Irving, it was seen as a bold, high-risk move. Irving is one of the most talented offensive players in the league, but his history of injuries and off-court controversies made him a risky long-term investment.

On paper, the Luka-Kyrie duo should be one of the most lethal backcourts in the NBA. They have the scoring ability, playmaking skills, and experience to dominate any defense. But in reality, the fit has been inconsistent.

• Defensively, the duo struggles against elite teams
• Offensively, they take turns instead of playing in true synchronization
• Injuries have prevented them from building real chemistry over a full season

If the Mavericks’ plan is to ride this duo to a championship, they will need to make significant roster upgrades around them—especially on the defensive end.

The Supporting Cast: Not Enough Firepower for a Deep Playoff Run?

A championship team is not built on two stars alone. The Mavericks have solid role players, but they lack the kind of elite supporting cast that other contenders boast.

Teams like the Denver Nuggets (Jokic, Murray, Gordon, Porter Jr.) and the Boston Celtics (Tatum, Brown, Holiday, Porzingis) have multiple reliable scoring options, elite defenders, and deep benches. Dallas, on the other hand, relies too much on Luka to do everything.

Without the right pieces, even the best players can’t win championships. And right now, it doesn’t seem like the Mavericks have enough to go all the way.

A Secret Plan? Or just mismanagement?

Is it possible that the Mavericks have a master plan that outsiders don’t understand yet?

One theory is that they are positioning themselves for a major trade, possibly for a third star to pair with Luka and Kyrie. Another theory is that they are waiting for the right time to move on from Kyrie and reshape the roster in a more balanced way.

But if neither of these scenarios plays out, then what are they actually doing?

Right now, it’s hard to tell. The franchise seems stuck between wanting to win now and not having enough firepower to actually contend.

If the Mavericks have a long-term plan, they need to start showing it. If not, they risk wasting Luka Doncic’s prime years—something no NBA fan wants to see.

Conclusion: Time is Running Out

The Mavericks’ lack of direction is concerning. Luka Doncic is a once-in-a-generation player, and teams don’t get many chances to build around a talent like him.

If Dallas doesn’t figure things out soon, they could find themselves in a situation where Luka starts questioning his future with the franchise. And if that happens, the Mavericks’ plan—whatever it is—will be meaningless.