The offseason is officially over, and the Dallas Mavericks enter 2025-26 with a roster so interesting that the franchise has never assembled this before. After saying goodbye to Luka Dončić in a seismic trade, the Mavs marched ahead. Anthony Davis is portrayed as the cornerstone of this new era, bringing championship experience, defensive prowess, and leadership. Kyrie Irving remains in Dallas on a new deal, though his ACL recovery has been a story to watch through all of the offseason. And at the top of the 2025 NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg arrives as a supremely talented rookie, ready to inject youth, energy, and a defensive edge into a team desperate for a new spark.
For the first time since the 2019-20 Lakers, who paired AD with LeBron James and Dwight Howard, an NBA team will feature three former No. 1 overall picks on one roster. Training camp has begun, and the Mavericks’ Design District practice facility on Monday was filled with players’ chatter and a whole of lot camera shutters. Both AD and Irving were seen clicking snaps with rookie Flagg, who faces the media for the first time in his career. Here’s a detailed look at five key takeaways from Mavericks Media Day 2025.
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We finally have an update on Kyrie Irving
First we had the headlines suggesting Kyrie Irving was ahead of schedule in his ACL recovery, sparking speculation that he might suit up as early as the Christmas matchup. But Jason Kidd, spoke with caution and quickly tempered expectations. “Now you know I don’t do well with medical. I’m not a doctor, but when we do see Kai shooting, can just refrain from saying ‘ahead of schedule?’ That’s bad reporting… He is doing quite well, but he’s not ahead of schedule. Let’s not say that… Is he on schedule? It looks like it. A lot of positive things are happening, but to say that he’s ahead of schedule is not fair,” Kidd clarified, reminding everyone that recovery timelines are rarely linear and that patience would be essential.
After Kidd’s measured update, Kyrie was the first star to face the media. He was quick to clarify that, he is on schedule, not ahead. Before facing the cameras, he had already addressed fans on his Twitch stream, making it clear that he controls the timing of his return: “There’s no timetable of when I’m coming back, so please don’t ask me when I’m coming back. Please don’t badger me … I’m going to be ready when I’m ready.”
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Irving reflected more broadly on his journey over the past year. He spoke candidly about the mental and emotional challenges of rehabbing from a severe injury. “It was good to go from being heartbroken – getting injured, tearing my ACL, into… negotiating a new contract – to the best team in the world,” he said, framing his personal struggles within the broader goal of the Mavericks’ success. He acknowledged the heavy responsibility he, Anthony Davis, and Cooper Flagg now carry.
Irving also took a reflective look back at the moment of his injury. “I feel like I’ve gotten past that moment, just being able to even watch it… I felt like I was top 15 in the world and there was no doubt about it. I was showing up every night,” he reflected. A signal to Mavericks fans that when Kyrie eventually steps back on the court, he will be in his best form.
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Klay Thompson is coming through as a core team member
Klay Thompson brought a more relaxed composure to the media day. He made his stance clear about the Mavericks’ championship potential: “Once we get Kyrie back, I don’t see why we can’t win the whole thing.” After 13 years with the Warriors, Thompson brings a veteran presence and emphasizes on team strengths. “Once a crew, always a crew… any rookie, any player goes through rough patches, we will see it through,” he said, signalling his role as mentor and shooting guard for Dallas’ evolving roster.
He was also asked about the Mavericks’ lucky No. 1 lottery pick, to which he said “I think I was in LA… I guess, I was either at the gym or on the beach, I can’t remember, but obviously I was delighted and excited and now we got a generational talent.”
On rookie Cooper Flagg, Thompson added, “I think Cooper can be as good as he wants to be,” attesting his confidence on the young star. While he avoided questions about his personal life and relationship with Megan Thee Stallion, Megan posted on Instagram the same day: “Okay, Hotties, my man [is] gone to work now. Y’all ready for me?” essentially confirming how Klay spent his off season.
Speaking of off seasons, he had this to say, “There’s no such thing as off season for me….we train like we gonna play 100 games a year… and it’s easy for me because I love it so much,” he said, giving a glimpse into the dedication he brings.
Cooper Flagg debuts at the Media day
18 year old Cooper Flagg entered Media Day with a mix of curiosity and confidence. Surprisingly he was heads on with the interrogations and came through like an expert. Reflecting on the whirlwind offseason that brought him to Dallas. “That’s something that I’ve said ever since the draft, and it’s just feeling blessed,” Flagg said. “We have an incredible team, incredible guys, great vets who have so much experience and can teach all of us young guys a lot. But then a lot of young guys as well who are really talented and are ready to kind of win now.”
The Maine native has already experienced moments that most rookies can only dream about. On September 13, he met Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki at the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation Tennis Classic in Dallas. “I thought it was really cool. That was my first time meeting Dirk in person and getting to be around him. It’s cool to hang out and see the impact that he still has in Dallas,” Flagg answered.
For Flagg, it is all but the beginning of an exciting journey on the courts, but he is already checking off his bucket lists. Like many rookies, he fulfilled his dream of meeting Michael Jordan during the Ryder Cup. He always had a personal hero since childhood. “Meeting Michael Jordan, I mean, that’s my GOAT. Someone I’ve always seen as the GOAT in my household… I think it was a dream come true, but it was really cool,” he reflected. For the Mavericks, he is a key piece in a roster blending proven stars and emerging talent, carrying the potential to define Dallas’ post-Luka chapter.
Anthony Davis opens up about eye injury
Anthony Davis brought his infectious energy. His presence immediately lifted the room. The star forward, sporting a noticeable redness in his right eye, greeted reporters warmly, cracking jokes before the formal questions began. The baller’s easygoing approach has made him a glue for the whole team.
He revealed he had to wear protective glasses for the rest of his career, apparently. “Which I’m not too excited about,” Davis admitted. “I’ve been wearing them in the summer, working out and everything like that. I’m trying to get used to them.” He then lightened the mood further, joking, “You guys will see me in the Horace Grants this year. It won’t be like that, but I will have some protective eyewear for sure.”
Davis, who recently hosted his teammates for a group dinner, ahead of training camps, was recovering from a retina surgery. The injury he sustained after taking an elbow from Dallas center Daniel Gafford, was not looking serious until the offseason, which ultimately required surgery.
Davis has a pivotal role: anchoring the defense, mentoring younger players like Cooper Flagg, and providing veteran scoring alongside Kyrie Irving. While the protective eyewear may be new, the expectation is from Davis’ presence in the paint. Afterall, he brings versatility on both ends of the floor, and his leadership will set the tone for a Mavericks squad eager to establish itself after a transformative offseason.
Dereck II Lively has a major update
Entering his third NBA season, Dereck Lively II arrives at Media Day with a renewed sense of purpose after an injury-laden 2024-25 campaign. The Duke product played just 36 games last season, sidelined by a stress fracture in his right ankle and subsequent surgery in July to remove bone spurs in his right foot. Despite these setbacks, Lively has been cleared for training camp and is expected to assume the starting center role alongside Anthony Davis.
One surprising factor for the 21 years old is, he hasn’t stopped growing. “I’ve grown from 7’1 and believe I’m around 7’2 or 7’3,” Lively said, a literal and figurative marker of his growing importance in the team.
On the court, Lively’s potential was evident even in limited action last season. He averaged 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting an efficient 70.2 percent from the field, demonstrating his ability to finish around the rim and protect the paint. With the offseason to recover fully and continue his physical development, Lively could emerge as a central figure in the Mavericks’ push for contention. But we don’t know whether he will outgrow himself by the time the season ends.
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The Mavericks’ 2025-26 season is going to be a mix of experience and youth. PJ Washington, who joins the Mavs’ frontcourt rotation, summed up the team’s mindset: “We feel like we can be the best defense in the league.” Meanwhile Daniel Gafford is excited about the young frontcourt. “I’m expecting Dereck Lively II to have a breakout season,” he said. On Cooper Flagg’s arrival, Gafford said “It was a miracle,”
Media Day was an indication that Dallas is ready to compete. Kyrie’s return, team chemistry, and Lively’s health are questions, but the Mavericks look set to make an impact this season.