Although the Dallas Mavericks finished last season with a solid 50-32 regular-season record, 12BET followers saw a team whose true potential extended far beyond its fifth-place finish in the Western Conference. What looked like an ordinary playoff seed soon evolved into one of the NBA’s most compelling postseason stories. Powered by the explosive performances of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, often referred to as the “European-American backcourt duo,” Dallas eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers, upset the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, and then defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years.
The remarkable playoff run ultimately fell one step short of a championship, as the Mavericks were defeated by the Boston Celtics in the Finals. Irving, in particular, struggled against the disciplined defense of his former team and was unable to perform at his usual level. Much of Dallas’ late-season turnaround had been fueled by the midseason arrivals of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford. Their addition strengthened the team’s interior defense, rebounding, and physical presence, laying the foundation for the deep postseason run that followed.
This offseason, Dallas once again made headlines with another meaningful addition. The biggest move was undoubtedly the arrival of Klay Thompson, a four-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors. While age has naturally reduced some of his defensive effectiveness, Thompson remains one of the greatest three-point shooters in basketball history. His shooting ability alone forces opposing defenses to spread their attention, making it much more difficult to focus exclusively on stopping Dončić and Irving. As many observers following 12BET believe, his presence fundamentally changes the spacing and offensive balance of the Mavericks.
Dallas also strengthened its roster by acquiring Spencer Dinwiddie, Quentin Grimes, and Naji Marshall. Both Grimes and Marshall bring reliable perimeter defense while consistently knocking down three-point shots, improving the team’s overall balance on both ends of the floor. Dinwiddie adds valuable experience as a guard capable of creating offense during difficult stretches, providing an important scoring option off the bench and reducing the burden on the team’s two superstars. In the NBA Draft, Dallas also invested in its future by selecting Melvin Ajinça with the 51st overall pick.
Of course, roster changes came with departures as well. Josh Green moved to the Charlotte Hornets, Tim Hardaway Jr. joined the Detroit Pistons, and Derrick Jones Jr. signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. All three played meaningful roles in last season’s rotation, meaning their absence should not be underestimated despite the team’s impressive offseason additions.
According to many basketball analysts, including those closely following 12BET, Dallas lacked enough reliable perimeter scoring during last season’s NBA Finals to punish opponents for concentrating defensive pressure on Dončić and Irving. As a result, the Mavericks frequently failed to capitalize on open shooting opportunities, allowing their offense to become stagnant. Thompson’s arrival directly addresses that weakness. His championship experience and elite shooting create additional spacing, while his calm leadership provides invaluable guidance for younger teammates. Grimes and Marshall further strengthen the team’s outside scoring, giving Dallas significantly greater offensive flexibility than it possessed a year ago.
Ultimately, the Mavericks’ championship hopes still depend on the performances of Dončić and Irving. Dončić, in particular, produced extraordinary numbers last season and firmly established himself among the league’s most dominant players. If Dallas can improve its regular-season record while Dončić maintains—or even surpasses—his current level of production, many who follow 12BET believe his chances of capturing his first NBA Most Valuable Player award will become stronger than ever. The Mavericks are no longer simply an exciting surprise. They have assembled a roster capable of competing with the league’s very best and appear ready to make the leap from dark horse to genuine championship contender.