Kyrie Irving's Return Headlines a Pivotal Mavericks Offseason

The Dallas Mavericks are two months away from opening the 2026-27 season, and for the first time in a long while, there's genuine reason for optimism in Dallas. The team that limped to a 26-56 record last season—tied with New Orleans for the second-worst mark in the Western Conference—is getting its franchise cornerstone back, and that changes nearly everything about how this season projects.

A Year Without Kyrie

The 2025-26 season was a lost campaign for the Mavericks. Kyrie Irving missed the entire year recovering from ACL surgery, and the roster simply didn't have the talent to compete without him. Dallas was outscored by 5.5 points per game—numbers that confirmed what the standings already made clear. The defense was a mess (18th in defensive rating at 114.9) and the offense lacked any reliable creation.

But the injury may have been a silver lining. Irving, now fully recovered, enters this season with more rest than he's had in years—and his career splits suggest he's still an elite offensive force. His career averages of 23.55 points per game on 46.8% shooting, along with a 39.3% three-point mark, would immediately transform a Dallas offense that had no reliable floor-stretching guard last season.

A New Look Roster

This isn't just the same roster plus Kyrie. The front office has been busy. Klay Thompson is gone, which opens up meaningful minutes for rookie Tarik Biberovic, who figures to get a real opportunity. Marcus Sasser arrives as a floor-spacer who should complement Irving in the backcourt—something the Mavs desperately lacked in 2025-26.

New head coach Dusty May takes over a team that needs a fresh voice. The schedule presents early challenges, but the roster now has a clear identity: Kyrie as the engine, with Sasser providing shooting and Biberovic offering a wildcard factor that could keep opponents honest.

The Expectations Question

The market has taken notice. BetMGM has set Dallas's win total at 34.5 for the upcoming season—a substantial bump from the 26 games they won last year. That number reflects the assumption that Irving's return alone is worth roughly eight wins, plus modest contributions from the new pieces and a healthier overall roster.

There are real questions, though. Dallas was objectively one of the worst teams in basketball last season, and Irving can't fix a 114.9 defensive rating by himself. The Western Conference remains brutally deep, and the Mavs' early schedule is unforgiving. But there are also legitimate reasons for optimism—the fanbase is confident, the roster fits better around Irving, and a full year of recovery should have him close to his peak.

What This Means for the Season

The biggest question with any player returning from ACL surgery is whether the explosiveness and burst that defined his game comes back fully. Irving's game has never relied on overwhelming athleticism—his handle, footwork, and shooting touch age well. That bodes well for a return to form.

Dallas doesn't need Kyrie to be superhuman. They need him to be the stabilizing force that keeps the offense moving, creates for others, and gives young players like Biberovic and Sasser the space to develop. If he's anywhere near his career averages, the Mavericks should be dramatically more competitive than last season's version.

The schedule will test them early, but this team has a ceiling that the 26-win campaign never hinted at. Irving's return is the story—and for a franchise that's been through the wringer, it's a welcome one.