Testing the Blueprint: How Will the Mavs Do in the Preseason?
The Dallas Mavs tip off the preseason with more questions than answers. After years of leaning on Luka Dončić’s singular stardom, the franchise enters a new era built on depth and defense. With Anthony Davis in the mix and a wave of rookies headlined by Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks are trading the star-dominance for more of a collective approach. This preseason offers a first glimpse of whether this new blueprint can hold up.
There are many moving parts in the franchise right now. From Davis’ health and leadership to younger players, the Mavs’ early games will reveal how quickly the roster can gel together. The schedule contains four matchups against Oklahoma City, Charlotte, Utah, and Los Angeles. These games may not have any weight to the regular season, but they will spotlight the building blocks of a team redefining its culture.
Oct. 6th - Oklahoma City Thunder
The Mavericks open the preseason at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. This gives North Texas fans an early look at the roster and changes. Oklahoma City’s depth and pace make it a tough first opponent. The current champions will be a great test for Dallas’ defensive organization and rebounding. Veterans on the team are expected to have limited minutes, but rookies will get more than their fair share.
Oct. 11th - Charlotte Hornets
Dallas returns to the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, for their lone preseason game at home. This matchup is not as competitive as the Thunder; however, it provides a chance to experiment with rotations and spacing on the court. Charlotte’s athletic guards will challenge the Mavs’ perimeter defense. This area of the team was especially criticized after the trade of Luka and the injury of Kyrie Irving.
Oct. 13th - Utah Jazz
A trip to Salt Lake City takes the team to its first road matchup this season. Utah’s physical frontcourt will test Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II, who are both working on recovery from summer injuries. For the rookies, Utah offers a chance to get familiar with a hostile environment. The score will not matter in the end, but the experience from it will.
Oct. 15th - Los Angeles Lakers
This preseason matchup in Las Vegas, Nevada, delivers the biggest spotlight. The Mavs’ new blueprint will face the likes of LeBron James and Luka Dončić; the clearest look at how the new system holds up. For Davis, it will be a statement game against his former team. Even if he logs limited minutes, it will serve as a reminder of the expectations now resting on his shoulders in Dallas.
