Poulakidas, a Yale University product and former Ivy League Tournament MVP, has been lighting it up for the San Diego Clippers. The 6-foot-6 guard is currently second in the G League in three-pointers made this season, one less than the leader with 96 triples.

He is averaging 14.7 points per game while shooting a crisp 38.5% from beyond the arc. His ability to space the floor is exactly what the Mavericks need as they navigate a roster ravaged by injuries.

Dallas has hit a wall, dropping 11 of its last 13 games and suffering a sixth consecutive home loss on Friday night. In that 124-105 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Mavericks looked physically and offensively spent. Without rookie sensation Cooper Flagg and star guard Kyrie Irving, the team lacked the perimeter threat necessary to keep Memphis honest.

Even in the prior 130-121 loss to the Sacramento Kings, where Naji Marshall exploded for 36 points and 10 rebounds, the depth issues were glaring. While Khris Middleton chipped in 17 points, the Mavericks struggled to find consistent bench production. Poulakidas offers a low-risk, high-reward solution to that problem.

By bringing in a specialized shooter who can thrive in the catch-and-shoot game, the Mavericks hope to provide their remaining playmakers with more room to operate. If his G League success translates to the NBA stage, the “King of the Ivy” might just find a permanent throne in the Dallas rotation.

The post Mavericks sign ex-Ivy League Tournament MVP to two-way contract appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The 34-year-old had a chance to jump ship to a contender before Sunday’s deadline to be playoff-eligible with a new team. The Denver Nuggets were reportedly leading the pack of interested suitors, but Middleton has decided to stick it out in North Texas. Sources indicate he has settled in quickly since arriving in the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade earlier this season, according to Marc Stein.

It has been a rough ride for Dallas lately. The Mavericks currently sit at 21-38, far from the playoff picture in a loaded Western Conference. The team is coming off a disappointing 124-105 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, where the offense struggled to find any consistent rhythm.

Middleton has been a steadying force amidst the chaos. In the team’s recent 130-121 loss to the Sacramento Kings, the former Milwaukee Bucks All-Star put up 17 points and five rebounds in 33 minutes. He also showed flashes of his championship pedigree during a February 22 win over the Indiana Pacers, erupting for 25 points on an efficient 11-of-15 shooting.

Keeping Middleton is a significant move for a Mavericks front office looking to maintain some veteran leadership around rookie sensation Cooper Flagg. While the postseason is likely out of reach this year, Middleton’s presence provides a professional blueprint for a young roster still searching for its identity.

The Mavericks return to action Sunday at American Airlines Center to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. It will be a massive test for a Dallas squad looking to snap a two-game skid and prove they can compete with the West’s elite.

The post Mavericks’ Khris Middleton plans to stay with Dallas despite record appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Reports indicate that the 19-year-old rookie will miss Sunday’s contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to Grant Afseth of the DallasHoop Journal. This will be Flagg’s seventh straight missed game since sustaining the injury on February 10 in the Mavericks’ 120-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

“Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg (left mid-foot sprain) has been ruled out for Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.”

The news of the former No. 1 overall pick being ruled out on Saturday can’t be all that surprising. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said on Friday that he doesn’t even expect Cooper Flagg to be available for the March 3 matchup against Kon Knueppel and the Charlotte Hornets. If that’s the case, Flagg could be out for at least two more games.

Despite the concerning injury woes in recent weeks, Flagg has looked every bit of a franchise cornerstone throughout his rookie season. He’s still in consideration for the Rookie of the Year Award, as he’s played at a high level when healthy. Through 49 games played, Flagg is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 48.2% from the floor and 30.2% from beyond the three-point line.

With Cooper Flagg ruled out once again, RJ Nembhard Jr. and Brandon Williams should see some action in the point guard position. With PJ Washington and Marvin Bagley III also ruled out for the game against the Thunder, the Mavericks will likely rely on Maxx Christie, Klay Thompson, and Daniel Gafford.

The post Cooper Flagg set to miss Mavericks-Thunder clash with lingering foot injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The performance showcased Gafford’s talent in the frontcourt, which led to increased speculation of his availability during the trade deadline. Whether Gafford stays with the Mavericks—recently receiving an three year, $54 million extension this offseason—remains to be seen. He spoke about the mental toll that injuries have provided him.

“Kind of like a bit of a wear and tear on the brain when it comes to just trying to figure out ways to play around it. Of course there is pain, but, like I said, we got a job on a night to night basis. And, just trying to play through that is just…it is going to help me in the long run, I would say, because now it’s just kind of like the first time that I’ve kind of dealt with like a injury that’s kinda like prolonged throughout the season.”

Gafford added, “So I’m learning a lot of stuff where it’s just, you know, taking care of my body more, being consistent with trying to find ways to be ready for. The next game coming up.”

Despite a brilliant rookie campaign from Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks sit at 21-38. They’re the 12th seed in the Western Conference, two spots away from a Play-In berth. Recently, the Mavericks made significant moves, trading D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards in what can be signaled as a reset for the organization around their new star.

The 27-year-old Gafford factors into that future. He’s currently averaging 8.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game on a 63.2% field goal percentage. He could remain with Dallas as a consistent option at the center spot, or his tradable contract could be moved to add more depth to the team around Flagg. But Gafford’s availability certainly adds to the winning efficacy of the Mavericks.

The Mavericks return to action on Sunday, hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder. The game tips off at 8:00 p.m.

The post Daniel Gafford gets 100% real on dealing with injury adversity appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The signing of Ryan Nembhard brings the Mavericks’ current roster to 15 standard contracts. Tyus Jones was originally thought to be finishing out the season with the Mavericks, but he reportedly approached the team about a release so he can join a playoff contender, as per ClutchPoints’ NBA insider Brett Siegel.

Waiving Jones might not be the last roster mover the Mavericks make this weekend. With Sunday being the deadline for players to be waived in order to be eligible to play in the playoffs, the Mavericks are awaiting a decision from Khris Middleton as well, as per Siegel. Middleton was acquired at the trade deadline, and will have plenty of playoff teams interested in his services should he hit the buyout market.

In Nembhard, the Mavericks have a young-ish guard who can be a part of the team’s future. He was limited to the amount of NBA games he could be active for under his two-way contract, and he had nearly run out of days  of eligibility.

He’s appeared in 38 games this season, including 17 starts, at a little over 18 minutes per game. He had been averaging 6.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists with splits of 42.9 percent shooting from the field, 37.9 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 76.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The Mavericks are currently 21-38 and in 12th place in the Western Conference standings. With each passing day, a run at the play-in looks less likely.

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Though he isn’t in uniform, Flagg has remained active in a different way, per Noah Weber of The Smoking Cuban.

Head coach Jason Kidd went into detail about the extent to which Flagg has stepped up even from the sidelines.

“His voice. You see him over there cheering…He’s all about his teammates, he’s all about trying to help this team win, even if he’s not in uniform. He’s been very consistent with that.”

Jason Kidd on how Cooper Flagg has contributed to the morale of the team despite being out:

“His voice. You see him over there cheering…He’s all about his teammates, he’s all about trying to help this team win, even if he’s not in uniform. He’s been very consistent with that.” pic.twitter.com/KAiiDd4ppu

— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) February 28, 2026

On Friday, the Mavericks lost to the Grizzlies 124-105. Then they will play against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. They stand at 21-38.

Flagg is averaging 20.4 points and 6.5 rebounds over the course of 49 games. Meanwhile, he has been out for the last six games.

As of now, Flagg is in the midst of a tight battle for the NBA Rookie of the Year with Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets.

Over the course of the season, Flagg has accumulated numerous accolades during his rookie year. He’s won many Rookie of the Month honors. Additionally, Flagg scored a career high of 49 points on Jan. 29 against the Hornets. In the process, he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40+ points in a game at 18 years old.

Additionally, Flagg became the youngest player to garner consecutive 30-point double-doubles in early February.

Also, he participated in the NBA Rising Stars game during the NBA All-Star Weekend.

The post How Cooper Flagg has impacted Mavericks despite injury absence appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Jones, 29, was acquired by the Mavericks at the trade deadline in a smaller deal with the Charlotte Hornets, who were looking to trade the 11-year guard for cap reasons. Last offseason, the Mavs showed strong interest in acquiring Jones via free agency, but other teams, such as the Orlando Magic, who Jones began this season with, could offer him more than Dallas.

Although it seemed likely that he would finish out the 2025-26 season with the Mavericks before entering unrestricted free agency in the summer, Jones first approached the Mavs to express his desire in a potential buyout to join a playoff-contending organization, sources said.

The Mavericks, who have been looking for a pathway to convert two-way guard Ryan Nembhard, now have a clear reason to do so.

Jones’ decision to hit the NBA buyout market was first reported by Marc Stein.

After waiving Jones and likely converting Nembhard to a two-way contract in a matter of days, the Mavericks are also awaiting a firm answer from veteran wing Khris Middleton on what he wants to do regarding a potential buyout.

Middleton was traded to the Mavs in the nine-player deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. Initially, Middleton was viewed by many around the league as a possible buyout candidate, but he reported to the team, and Dallas expressed no interest in waiving him immediately.

Over the last week, Middleton has been giving thought to his future, and the possibility of leaving the Mavericks to join a playoff threat remains on the table. He has until Sunday to decide whether or not he will approach the team for a buyout, as they will not waive him unless he wants a change in scenery.

The Mavericks are 21-38 this season, the seventh-worst record in the NBA.

The post Mavericks make surprising Tyus Jones roster decision appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Middleton is going through the 14th season of his NBA career, his first with the Mavericks. He started the 2025-26 campaign with the Washington Wizards before they traded him and other players to Dallas in the major deal for Anthony Davis.

Middleton has appeared in six games since the trade, continuing to provide solid offensive production at age 34. With Dallas unlikely to make the playoffs amid injuries, Kidd gave an update on Middleton during Friday’s pregame press conference.

Middleton has until March 1 to agree to a buyout with the Mavericks so he can become a free agent and potentially join a playoff team. As for Kidd, he supports any decision that the veteran forward makes that impacts his career.

“That’s up to Khris. We support whatever decision he makes if he’s going to stay or if he’s gonna get bought out. But I think he’s gotta make that decision here pretty quick,” Kidd said, per reporter Ron Harrod Jr.

Jason Kidd responded to @TheSteinLine report about Khris Middleton being a buyout candidate:

“That’s up to Khris. We support whatever decision he makes if he’s going to stay or if he’s gonna get bought out. But I think he’s gotta make that decision here pretty quick.” https://t.co/urJ2frvdNW pic.twitter.com/pHGLZ3X0wT

— Ron Harrod Jr. (@RonKnowsSports) February 28, 2026

What lies ahead for Khris Middleton, Mavericks

It’s clear that Khris Middleton has plenty of gas in the tank even though he’s no longer in his All-Star prime. Whether he stays or leaves the Mavericks, he will be a valuable scorer for teams needing more offensive production.

Middleton has played 40 games so far this season, averaging 11 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. In six games with the Mavericks, he is producing 14.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest.

Dallas has a 21-37 record on the season, sitting at 12th place in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Utah Jazz by 3.5 games and the New Orleans Pelicans by four games. However, they trail the Memphis Grizzlies by 0.5 games and the Los Angeles Clippers by six games.

Following Friday’s home matchup against the Grizzlies, the Mavericks will prepare for their next contest. They host the Oklahoma City Thunder as tip-off will take place on March 1 at 8 p.m. ET.

The post Mavericks HC Jason Kidd addresses Khris Middleton’s future with franchise appeared first on ClutchPoints.

However, Mavs head coach Jason Kidd suggested that Flagg won’t participate in that contest, according to Ron Harrod Jr. of DLLS Sports. If that is the case, then the 19-year-old rookie is likely to miss the team’s next three games at least.

“Probably not,” said Kidd when asked if Flagg would be available for the Mavericks’ game against the Hornets.

The Mavericks have been without Cooper Flagg for the past five games, with his sixth straight missed contest coming on Friday when Dallas faces off against the Memphis Grizzlies. He recently had a walking boot removed, which was a sign of progress on his left midfoot sprain. However, Flagg has remained out of the lineup.

When healthy, Flagg has been solid for the Mavericks in his rookie year. Through 49 games played, the former No. 1 overall pick is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48.2% from the floor and 30.2% from beyond the three-point line.

He is in direct competition for the Rookie of the Year Award with Kon Knueppel, as the Hornets’ star has become an immediate star for the club. Knueppel, who was Flagg’s teammate in college at Duke, is averaging 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per contest. He also owns a 49.1% field goal percentage and a 44.2% three-point percentage through 59 games played.

The post Mavericks HC Jason Kidd gets real on potential Cooper Flagg-Kon Knueppel showdown appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“The Mavericks say Cooper Flagg will miss his sixth consecutive game tonight due to a left midfoot sprain. Memphis is in Dallas on the second night of a home back-to-back. It will be Flagg’s 10th game missed this season,” Stein wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

It’s uncertain when Flagg will return to action, and the Mavericks may want to stay cautious with his injury. During the All-Star break, Flagg was seen in a boot, which caused a lot of people to raise their eyebrows. Stein reported at the time that the Mavericks were fortunate that his injury was just a midfoot sprain.

“Cooper Flagg was indeed spotted with a boot on his left foot Saturday at Duke’s home game against Clemson, but league sources tell The Stein Line that Dallas feels fortunate that last week’s MRI results on Flagg only revealed a left midfoot sprain,” Stein wrote. “It is still not known precisely how long the 19-year-old will be sidelined, but the Mavericks appear relieved that the injury was not more serious.”

Flagg was starting to catch fire before his injury, and it was evident that he was figuring things out. The Mavericks made a few moves at the trade deadline, which signaled they were ready to move along with Flagg as the future of the team, and he seemed to be ready for the moment.

It doesn’t seem like the Mavericks are too concerned about Flagg’s injury, and there should be a chance that he returns at some point this season. As of now, players such as Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson, Brandon Williams, and others will have to step up.

The post Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg ruled out once again for Grizzlies clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Immediately, the attention of everyone in the NBA turned to the buyout market, a post-trade deadline period that has become a valuable resource for playoff-contending teams over the years. Many organizations that face cap and apron problems have utilized the buyout market over the years as their own trade deadline and a way to add high-level, veteran talent on contracts for the remainder of the season.

However, this season’s buyout market has been quiet with little movement.

Mike Conley Jr. returned to the Minnesota Timberwolves after being traded twice at the deadline, and Pat Connaughton returned to the Charlotte Hornets, who initially waived him to free a roster spot given all of their deadline transactions.

The two biggest names who have found new homes are Cam Thomas and Jeremy Sochan. Whereas Thomas has already become a focal scorer for the Bucks with Giannis continuing to rehab his calf injury, Sochan has struggled to find his footing early on with the New York Knicks.

Both young talents signed contracts for the remainder of the 2025-26 season after their former teams waived them in the final year of their respective contracts.

Seven different players have been waived or bought out and signed new contracts in the buyout market, the most recent being Kyle Anderson. Upon clearing waivers after the Memphis Grizzlies bought him out on Thursday night, Anderson plans to sign with the Timberwolves, where he spent two seasons earlier in his career.

Will Anderson be the final notable name to hit the buyout market and sign with a new team?

There are a few more notable names teams around the league are monitoring at this juncture, as players like Khris Middleton, DeMar DeRozan, and others have until Sunday, March 1, to decide whether they want to remain in their current situations for the rest of the season.

A player must be waived before Mar. 1 to be eligible for the playoffs with a new team. This doesn’t mean that a player needs to sign a contract by then, but they must be waived to remain playoff-eligible wherever they may end up.

Here is the latest we are hearing at ClutchPoints regarding what has been a quiet buyout period, starting with Middleton and the Dallas Mavericks.

Khris Middleton – Dallas Mavericks

When he arrived in Dallas as part of the nine-player trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards, many began to speculate that the Mavs would soon buy Middleton out. That was not the case at all, as the Mavericks welcomed the former All-Star wing with open arms and were happy to have a player of his class and skills join the team in what has been a lost season.

The Mavericks are in no position to make the playoffs despite Cooper Flagg’s sensational first season in the league, which is why they have left the buyout decision in Middleton’s hands. While the Mavs have signaled that they would like to keep Middleton for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, he and his representation have received interest from several teams in playoff position this season, league sources said.

Among those with interest in Middleton, the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs are said to be at the front of the line for the 34-year-old wing should he be bought out of his contract in Dallas.

Denver, who was unable to make a significant move at the trade deadline outside of moving below the luxury tax by trading Hunter Tyson, has been very cognizant of their financial standing. That is why the Nuggets waited until after the All-Star break to officially sign Spencer Jones to a standard deal, which leaves the organization $1.1 million away from the luxury tax line with one open roster spot.

Before his buyout with the Grizzlies on Thursday, the Nuggets held interest in Kyle Anderson, sources said. It is clear Denver wants to add another wing or forward to their rotation, which is why Middleton would be the perfect piece to their championship equation.

One note on the Mavs — they don’t appear to want to buy out Tyus Jones, as he’s a player they wanted since last offseason. During free agency, Dallas did not have the money to give Jones the contract he ended up getting with Orlando, which is why the Mavs traded for him when that opportunity came at the deadline.

It would be a surprise if the Mavs bought out Jones, that is unless he approached them about wanting to play for a contender this year.

As of right now, Middleton’s decision comes down to what he ultimately wants. If he is happy playing for the Mavericks and increasing his workload before hitting free agency in the offseason, then he won’t seek a buyout. However, the opportunity to play for a playoff-contending team is certainly appealing, and he would easily have a path to minutes on such a team should he be waived.

It is worth noting that a lot of players and agents do not necessarily like the idea of hitting the buyout market in Middleton’s case, as he would go from a high-paying contract to being viewed as a minimum-like talent. Once players accept a minimum deal, that is essentially what their market looks like for the rest of their career, barring a significant uptick in production.

In Middleton’s case, this may not be the smartest financial decision, especially if he wants any chance of landing a deal higher than the veteran’s minimum in free agency this upcoming summer.

DeMar DeRozan – Sacramento Kings

Unlike Middleton, who was traded at the deadline, DeMar DeRozan remains stuck in basketball purgatory this season with the Sacramento Kings. Unfortunately for DeRozan, this has been another failed season for the Kings, an organization that has once again seen a fall from grace after a glimmer of playoff hope.

The six-time All-Star has been nothing short of a true professional in Sacramento, and he recently passed Paul Pierce inside the top 25 of the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Every player ahead of DeRozan either is currently or will soon be in the Hall of Fame, which only improves his chances of eventually being elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Although his situation is different from Middleton’s in the sense that he has been with the Kings all season and did not join a new situation at the trade deadline, DeRozan shares the same reality as Middleton in the sense that if he wants a buyout, he will need to be the one to initiate such conversations.

The Kings have shown no interest in buying out any of their veteran players this season, and they have valued DeRozan’s leadership as the organization navigates yet another rebuilding or retooling stage, whatever we want to call it in Sacramento nowadays.

Along with the Kings having no interest in seeing DeRozan leave right now, the 36-year-old has yet to approach them asking for such negotiations. It will definitely be interesting to see if anything changes over the next 48 hours, especially since DeRozan would draw interest from virtually every playoff-contending team with the ability to give him a roster spot.

At the trade deadline, there were some whispers that DeRozan and his camp were exploring ways to get him to one of the two Los Angeles-based teams, sources said. While nothing ever really materialized on that front, it is worth noting that DeRozan is from Compton, California, and he has long wanted to finish his career in Los Angeles.

I would not anticipate DeRozan being bought out at this point, especially since his contract for next season is partially guaranteed for $10 million. How the Kings navigate this situation in the offseason will be interesting.

Russell Westbrook – Sacramento Kings

Another key veteran who has played really well in Sacramento this season is Russell Westbrook. Say what you want about Russ, but this guy is a true professional and plays with the exact level of intensity and joy every team should want.

With the Kings, Westbrook has really made the most of his opportunity, and he’s been a leading voice both on and off the court for the young players on this roster. Westbrook has the respect of his teammates and the Kings’ coaching staff, so why would he want to think about leaving?

For the first time in a long time, Westbrook is actually with a team that values his production and skills. If he were to be waived, there is no guarantee right now that another team would even sign him.

Should interest exist from a playoff-contending team, I am sure Westbrook would strongly consider such an option, but it doesn’t appear as if that’s the case right now. Assuming Westbrook stays with the Kings entering March, it would not be shocking to see him sign another contract with the Kings in the summer.

Lonzo Ball – Free Agent

When Lonzo Ball was traded to the Utah Jazz and immediately waived upon arrival, several teams in playoff position began gathering his medical information and contacting him. The Golden State Warriors held strong interest in Ball, as did the Nuggets, sources said.

However, no deal ever materialized for Ball with the Warriors or Nuggets due to concerns both organizations had with his overall knee health. Although Ball played in 35 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers this season before being traded, there are concerns among many league personnel that the former second-overall pick may not play again over concerns with his medical records.

Ball remains unsigned and available on the open market. It is worth noting that Denver and Golden State were not the only two organizations that expressed a level of interest in him.

Nothing is imminent on this front, and Ball will continue to work on strengthening his game and health as he waits for another opportunity. Should he remain unsigned through the remainder of this season and want to continue his playing career, Lonzo may be forced to do so overseas.

D’Angelo Russell – Washington Wizards

One of the notable names who was tied to the Anthony Davis-Khris Middleton nine-player trade between the Wizards and Mavericks was D’Angelo Russell. The 30-year-old guard has been with several teams through the years and has been unable to lock in a firm roster spot with any organization. Washington is the sixth franchise Russell has been with since the 2019-20 season.

At first, it did not appear as if Russell would even report to the Wizards. Unlike Davis, who changed his tune and has embraced this new challenge with a young, rebuilding team in the Eastern Conference, Russell was not eager for this change.

Wizards general manager Will Dawkins told reporters after the trade deadline that he wouldn’t ask the veteran guard to show up until the organization figured out what was best for both parties.

A few weeks later, Russell has yet to be waived by the team, and it doesn’t appear as if he will be. Upon receiving no interest from other teams around the league, Russell may actually play for the Wizards during the back half of the 2025-26 season, as he recently swapped his number from No. 14 to No. 28 for Washington.

Unless a team comes out of left field and informs him they would add him to their playoff roster, Russell seems prepared to finish the 2025-26 season with the Wizards.

Russell owns a near-$6 million player option for the 2026-27 season.

Cole Anthony – Phoenix Suns

Another player who has yet to report to his new team since the trade deadline is Cole Anthony. The 25-year-old guard originally signed with the Bucks this season after being dumped in the summer by the Orlando Magic, and Milwaukee traded him in a smaller deal made on deadline day.

The Phoenix Suns acquired Anthony as a cap-relief move to dip below the luxury tax. In doing so, the organization was able to add veteran forward Haywood Highsmith. Should they waive Anthony, the Suns will have enough space to convert two-way guard Jamaree Bouyea to a standard deal for the rest of the season.

It is all too obvious that Anthony doesn’t appear to be in the Suns’ plans whatsoever, especially since they didn’t even give this guy a welcome graphic after the trade. Perhaps another team would take a look at Anthony before the end of the season, whether it be on a 10-day contract or a regular deal, but it would be surprising if he actually showed up in Phoenix.

There have been some international basketball clubs showing interest in Anthony, although it appears as if he is not ready to give up on his NBA career just yet.

Matisse Thybulle – Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers recently made the expected move of waiving 2023 second-round pick Rayan Rupert and converting two-way forward Sidy Cissoko to a standard contract that runs into the 2026-27 season. Cissoko signed a two-year, $3.1 million contract that is not guaranteed until two weeks after free agency begins, sources said.

This was one of two moves the Blazers had hoped to accomplish after the All-Star break, as converting two-way guard Caleb Love to a standard deal is something the organization also wishes to achieve. However, Portland has no open roster spots and is operating roughly $700,000 below the luxury tax line.

It is highly unlikely that the organization will look to buy Robert Williams out of his contract, which leads to major questions about Matisse Thybulle in the final year of his deal. When the Trail Blazers acquired Thybulle from the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2022-23 season, they were taking a chance on a high-potential defensive wing who had trouble staying healthy.

Much of the same has happened in Portland, as he’s only played in 110 games over the last four seasons with the Trail Blazers, including just eight games this year. At the same time, Thybulle has played in four straight games and has shown flashes of being the two-way wing this team has wanted. That is why the franchise has been hesitant to waive him.

Love can only play in five more games this season on his two-way contract, so a decision is looming for Portland.

Other than Thybulle, the only other player who would make sense to possibly waive in favor of signing Love is Blake Wesley, although the Blazers have valued the former first-round pick’s production when healthy.

Chris Boucher – Free Agent

When the Boston Celtics signed Chris Boucher to a minimum deal in the summer, it seemed like he could potentially be in line to hold a significant role, possibly even as their starting center. Boucher barely played for the Celtics and ended up being buried on their depth chart, which led to an easy decision to trade him for tax relief.

After being traded to the Jazz with a 2027 second-round pick, Boucher was waived and has been a free agent since.

The Suns were a team linked to Boucher during the trade deadline and once he hit the buyout market, but the organization turned their attention to signing Highsmith instead once he was waived by the Nets.

While some had speculated that the Warriors would look to bring back Boucher, who actually began his career with the Dubs during the 2017-18 season, there have been no conversations on this front, sources said.

So, what’s next for the lengthy 33-year-old big man?

Boucher spent seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors, and his former team does have an open roster spot. Toronto is also $900,000 from the luxury tax line and could sign Boucher for the rest of the season without crossing this mark based on what would be a near $650,000 prorated contract.

Many league personnel have indicated that Boucher holds a desire to return to the Raptors. Whether this will happen, especially after the Raptors traded for Trayce Jackson-Davis at the deadline, is the bigger question at hand.

The post Latest NBA buyout intel including Khris Middleton, DeMar DeRozan, more appeared first on ClutchPoints.

A year later, the Mavericks cut their losses and sent Davis away to the Washington Wizards prior to the trade deadline and got a return that would not even come close to matching the value they gave up to bring in the 10-time All-Star.

The good news is that the Mavericks lucked into Cooper Flagg, giving them yet another superstar in the making to build the franchise around. Fingers crossed, but this time around, with a new brain trust at the helm, perhaps Flagg would last longer than the six and a half seasons Doncic spent with the team.

A few weeks have now passed since the deadline, and it’s clear what the Mavericks are trying to do to end the year: boost their odds so they could get as good of a pick as possible to try and supplement their Flagg-led core during a rare year where they control their own first-round pick.

Be that as it may, how did the Mavericks do during the trade deadline and has time been kinder to them this time around?

Mavericks refuse to fall into sunk cost fallacy, trade away Anthony Davis

Mavericks acquire: Marvin Bagley III, A.J. Johnson, Tyus Jones, Khris Middleton, 2026 OKC 1st round pick, top-20 protected 2030 GSW 1st round pick, 2026 PHX 2nd round pick, 2027 CHI 2nd round pick, and 2029 HOU 2nd round pick

Wizards acquire: Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Dante Exum, Jaden Hardy

To say that the Mavericks sold Davis for pennies on the dollar would be a major understatement. This is quite a disappointing return to say the least for the main piece Dallas got in exchange for Doncic, and this is the kind of move that just screams admission of defeat.

Now, this is not to say that the Mavericks should not have traded Davis. There were certainly plenty of reasons as to why exploring the market for him was wise. But Dallas could have chosen not to pull the trigger if this was the best offer they were going to get.

For starters, Davis has two more seasons left on his contract following the 2025-26 campaign, although he has a player option for the 2026-27 season. Why did the Mavericks feel as though they had to move on this quickly from Davis, especially when he’s been ravaged by injuries this season?

Perhaps the Mavs know something about Davis’ health that others don’t. But it’s not like Davis’ presence was preventing Dallas from pulling off some tanking shenanigans, seeing as he wasn’t healthy enough to play anyway and that the smart money would be on him missing the rest of the 2025-26 season due to the ligament damage he sustained in his left hand.

If the goal was for the Mavericks to compete next season especially when Kyrie Irving returns, then holding on to Davis would have been the smart move. None of the pieces the Mavs got for Davis stands out as a potential keeper, and the picks they got from the Wizards aren’t very good whatsoever.

The first-round pick they got in 2026 is likely to land as the 30th pick of the draft as it belongs to the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Warriors’ pick in 2030 is protected until the 20th selection; by then, Curry might be long retired and Golden State might be in the middle of a painful rebuild. That pick would convey as a second-round pick if it lands within the protected area.

Marvin Bagley and Khris Middleton are good pieces, but they are nothing more than depth players at this point of their careers. AJ Johnson is barely getting any minutes for the Mavericks in recent games. If this was the best they could have gotten, there is an argument that keeping Davis might have been the best course of action anyway.

It’s one thing to admit that trading Doncic away for Davis, Max Christie, and an unprotected 2029 first-round pick was a mistake. It’s another thing to double down on that mistake. Was it not tantalizing enough for the Mavs to try and see what they got with a Flagg, Davis, and Irving core with a supporting cast consisting of Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, Christie, Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson, and PJ Washington, just to name a few?

Lucking into the number one pick saved this Mavericks franchise. Had Flagg not landed in Dallas, this franchise would be in utter shambles. In a vacuum, this trade with the Wizards is, at best, defensible, and, at worst, a pitiful admission of defeat. But when assessed from the grand context of the Doncic trade and the horrible turn of events that has since beset the franchise, this trade is all the more difficult to swallow.

Dallas addresses season-long point guard woes

The Mavericks re-routed Branham, a piece they got in the Davis trade, to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Tyus Jones, who was salary dumped by the Orlando Magic. Jones has not been very good this season, as he has looked very much washed up for the Magic hence their decision to cut him loose, but he at least provides a steady hand and some healthy competition for the team’s other guards.

Jones is not expected to play a big role, but perhaps he helps the likes of Brandon Williams and Ryan Nembhard learn more about what it takes to be an effective floor general in the association.

How did the Mavs do?

Overall, the Mavericks did not do well prior to the trade deadline. They chose to commit into a full-blown rebuild around Flagg but they got a paltry return for Davis. They had such a solid role player infrastructure, but chose to blow it up anyway instead of betting that Davis would be healthier next season.

Mavs fans have to expect, barring an insane leap from Flagg, that they might find it difficult to crack the postseason picture next season.

Mavericks’ trade deadline grade: C-

The post Mavericks 2026 NBA trade deadline grade after 2 deals, Anthony Davis blockbuster appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Middleton played only 48 games for the Washington Wizards before being shipped to the Mavericks. He has been a solid addition to Dallas, adding offensive firepower and veteran leadership.

But according to NBA insider Marc Stein, the 34-year-old forward could find himself on a different team again in the next few days.

“Khris Middleton just told @TheSteinLine he is still weighing his options in advance of Sunday’s deadline to pursue a contract buyout, deciding whether to finish the season in Dallas or join a playoff team,” wrote Stein on X.

“League sources say Denver (Nuggets) and other playoff teams have shown interest.”

With the way things are going, the Mavericks will probably not qualify for the playoffs with a 21-37 record. They lost to the Sacramento Kings, 130-121, on Thursday.

Stein noted that Dallas is inclined to agree with the three-time All-Star, who won a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks, if he seeks a buyout.

“Middleton stressed he is grateful for the warm welcome he’s received in Dallas, where the Mavericks—as @TheSteinLine first reported—have told the former All-Star they will work with him if he seeks a buyout before Sunday’s deadline to be playoff-eligible for a new next team,” added Stein.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd touted Middleton’s value to the team, including helping Cooper Flagg with his game and setting an example of professionalism.

Middleton tallied 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists against the Kings. He has scored in double digits in three of the six games since he joined Dallas.

The post Mavericks’ Khris Middleton still weighing contract buyout before Sunday deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The organization is asking its fan base to remain patient during a painful yet somewhat optimistic time. Such a request comes with the understanding that it would be borderline criminal to raise ticket prices.

During Thursday’s 130-121 home loss versus the Sacramento Kings, Mavericks CEO Rick Welts revealed that majority owner Patrick Dumont is keeping ticket costs as is for the 2026-27 campaign.

“It was one of the strangest meetings I’ve ever been in my 48 years in the league where you sit down with the owners,” Welts said on the Mavs’ broadcast. “The staff has done two months of work to look for little areas here or there where tickets might be underpriced, even when you’re in a year when you’re not going to raise many prices.

“Patrick preempted the conversation before we could even get started and just said, ‘look, we didn’t deliver this year. We didn’t deliver on the team that we expected. We’re not going to raise one ticket price for next year.’ Obviously a popular decision but the right one as well.”

Are the Mavericks taking a step in the right direction?

Dallas raised prices for season-ticket holders after it traded franchise centerpiece Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers last year, so it is good to know that Dumont has learned something during his brief but tumultuous ownership reign. Nobody deserves a pat on the back, though. This is the bare minimum the Mavericks can do after gambling on their future and proceeding to plunge down the Western Conference standings.

It will be a while before the organization regains the trust it lost with its fans, but Mavs brass must avoid angering the city any further. This is a good start. If Flagg continues to ascend and winds up leading the franchise back to the playoffs in the near future, Patrick Dumont and company will probably not hesitate to hike up ticket prices again. But there is no reason to jump ahead.

Dallas has much to do this offseason. Even a healthy Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg will need some help if they are going to make genuine noise in the trying West. Thanks to this decision, fans might now have a bit more faith that the Mavericks will do what is necessary to quickly improve the basketball product.

For the first time since possibly arriving in town, ownership is expressing self-awareness. Let the road to redemption begin.

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Check our Sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

Kyrie Irving joined ANTA in 2023 following his departure from Nike, owning equity in the company and serving as their Chief Creative Officer. Not only has Irving already released three signature shoes with the Chinese-based sportswear brand, but he’s also released a number of lifestyle sneakers and apparel collections under the ANTA KAI moniker.

His latest ANTA KAI 3 ‘432Hz’ draws inspiration from the frequency often associated with balance, harmony, and calming energy. 432 Hz represents alignment – physically, mentally, and spiritually – represented through the colors violet, pink, and metallic gold. The sneakers will drop in the coming days along with the “Moment of Time” visual meditation campaign.

ANTA KAI 3 “432Hz”

The “432Hz” colorway presents itself in a stunning gradient with violet purple along the toe meshing into pink along the back half of the shoe. The same pattern follows through the N2 foam midsole, distributed evenly for maximum stability and comfort. Throughout, we see hits of shimmering metallic gold throughout the breathable air vents on the upper.

Finer details will include KAI branding along the back heel and tongue in gold, matching several etched designs throughout the midsole. The aerodynamic and sleek silhouette is inspired by the world’s fastest bird, a peregrine falcon, and what Irving mimics his game after.

Per ANTA, “For Kyrie, the “432Hz” colorway represents more than a design—it’s a reminder that peak performance begins with inner alignment.”

The ANTA KAI 1 “432Hz” will release on February 28, 2026 through ANTA, both online and at their Beverly Hills, CA flagship store. Several ANTA retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Shoe Palace, and Extra Butter will hold the shoes in limited quantities. They’ll come with a $135 retail tag and will feature special packaging along with the gold feather hang tag.

The post Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving releasing new ANTA KAI 3 ‘432Hz’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Davis only played 29 games in his brief and injury-plagued stint with the Mavericks. He was traded to the Washington Wizards in a three-team deal that also involved the Charlotte Hornets. In return, Dallas received Khris Middleton, Marvin Bagley III, AJ Johnson, and a slew of draft picks.

In joining the Mavericks, Middleton was reunited with coach Jason Kidd. Kidd handled Middleton when he called the shots for the Milwaukee Bucks from 2014 to 2018, developing a strong bond.

When asked about coaching Middleton again, Kidd had a hilarious response, as shown in the video posted by The Smoking Cuban’s Noah Weber.

“Terrible,” joked Kidd.

He, however, turned serious and discussed the 34-year-old Middleton’s value to the team.

“Playing through him, he’s a vet. I’ve been with him early in his journey. He’s a champion, he’s a pro, comes to work, does his job, and understands that he can help us with voice, not just his play,” added Kidd, who went 139-152 with the Bucks.

“I’ve been talking to him a lot about how he can help Coop. He feels like he can’t help Coop. Coop’s already passed him. He has a good sense of humor (about it). But just looking at his knowledge and understanding of the game, it’s been great working with Khris.”

Jason Kidd on working with Khris Middleton again:

“Terrible. Playing through him, he’s a vet. I’ve been with him early in his journey…He’s a champion, he’s a pro…I’ve been talking to him a lot about he can help Coop. He feels like he can’t help Coop, Coop’s already passed… pic.twitter.com/iizozXoYmj

— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) February 27, 2026

Middleton is still adjusting to his role, although he dropped 25 points in their win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, helping the Mavericks end their 10-game losing streak.

His familiarity with Kidd should serve him as well as the season comes along.

The post Mavericks’ Jason Kidd gives hilarious response to coaching Khris Middleton again appeared first on ClutchPoints.

For one, Cooper Flagg has been as good as advertised, and the Mavericks have decided to make him the team’s centerpiece. The 20-year-old rookie has already set multiple records in his young career, and he will only get better as he progresses in Dallas.

Another positive note: Coach Jason Kidd earned his 200th win with the Mavericks after they beat the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.

Kidd, who has been calling the shots for Dallas since 2021, was proud to join others who paved the way for him, as he mentioned in the video posted by DLLS Sports’ Abby Jones.

“It’s a compliment to the players. But also, to be mentioned with (Rick) Carlisle, (Don) Nelson, and (Dick) Motta. Those are the legends. When you look at future Hall of Famers, Dick Motta should be in the Hall of Fame, Carlisle will be in the Hall of Fame, Nellie is in the Hall of Fame, so just understanding those coaches, to be there with those guys is a great honor,” said Kidd.

Jason Kidd earned his 200th career win as the Dallas Mavericks Head Coach in Brooklyn.

“To be mentioned with Rick Carlisle, Don Nelson and Dick Motta. Those are the legends. When you look at future HOFers to be there with those guys is a great honor but it’s about to players.” pic.twitter.com/vLVQGhyFPk

— Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) February 27, 2026

The 52-year-old Kidd’s stint with the Mavericks, whom he helped win a championship in 2011, has been anything but smooth sailing. He had to navigate the change in ownership, the shocking exit of Luka Doncic, the injuries to Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, and the controversy surrounding the tenure of former general manager Nico Harrison, among other challenges.

Still, he has largely been effective, steering the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals.

Even when he was still playing, many predicted that Kidd would be perfect as a coach, touting his high IQ, leadership, and wisdom.

The post Here’s what Mavericks’ Jason Kidd said about reaching historic coaching feat appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Reports indicate that Flagg is officially ruled out for the game against the Kings, while Middleton is listed as questionable, according to NBA Insider Marc Stein. Flagg will miss his fifth consecutive game for the Mavericks. PJ Washington is also ruled out on the injury report.

“The Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg (left midfoot sprain) will miss his fifth straight game Thursday when Sacramento visits Dallas… Dallas has also ruled out P.J. Washington (ankle) and lists Khris Middleton (shoulder) as questionable.”

While Flagg is still dealing with a foot injury, he is seemingly still in the running for the Rookie of the Year Award, per Stein. With his return up in the air, Stein reminds fans that the 65-game rule does not apply to the ROY award.

“Cooper Flagg last played for Dallas on Feb. 10 but has missed just eight games total this season. Also: The NBA’s 65-game rule, remember, is not applied to the Rookie of the Year race.”

The 19-year-old phenom has played in 49 games in his first season in the league. He’s been as advertised so far, filling in at point guard and averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48.2% from the field and 30.2% from beyond the three-point line.

The Mavericks will continue monitoring Cooper Flagg’s injury in the coming days. Meanwhile, the franchise will likely reveal Khris Middleton’s official status before tipping off against the Kings on Thursday night.

The post Cooper Flagg out, Khris Middleton questionable for Kings-Mavericks clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.

But for former NBA guard Jeff Teague, it’s already been decided.

While watching Knueppel’s highlights in the Hornets’ 131-99 win on Tuesday against the Chicago Bulls on the road, Teague said that “if he’s [Knueppel] not Rookie of the Year, he got robbed. They [are] actually winning games, he [is] averaging 20 points.”

In that game against the Bulls, Knueppel fired 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the field with three 3-pointers, while hitting all four of his attempts from the free-throw line in 23 minutes of action.

Knueppel has certainly grabbed more attention of late among rookies with his play, and especially with Flagg sidelined with a foot injury that has prevented him from playing since the NBA All-Star break.

Cooper Flagg is not too shabby himself in his first season in the league, as the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has been putting up big numbers for the Mavericks when he’s healthy. However, his former Duke Blue Devils teammate is seemingly giving him a serious run for his money in the ROY race.

In fact, Knueppel, the fourth-overall pick in 2025, is leading all rookies entering Wednesday with a 2.4 VORP (Value Over Replacement Player), while Flagg is second with a 1.4.

Knueppel also paces all first-year players in points and win shares. And for what it’s worth, he is 1-0 against Flagg this season, as the Hornets defeated Dallas on Jan. 29, in a game that is remembered for the incredible duel between the two former Duke teammates, with Knueppel putting up 34 points and Cooper Flagg erupting for 49.

Still, there is plenty of basketball left to play this season to make this compelling Rookie of the Year race even more interesting.

The post Cooper Flagg or Kon Knueppel for NBA Rookie of the Year? Jeff Teague makes his pick appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Although Cooper Flagg was the rookie captivating all the attention at the start of the year, Knueppel is the one who may just walk away with the NBA Rookie of the Year award.

Knueppel is not only tied for second in the league with LaMelo Ball and Donovan Mitchell for the most threes made per game this season (3.5), but he also leads ALL players, not just rookies, in total threes made after knocking down his 201st triple on Tuesday night against the Chicago Bulls.

The Hornets’ rookie has played 58 total games and has already made over 200 threes. He will not only be passing Keegan Murray’s rookie record of 206 made threes during the 2022-23 season, but Knueppel has a chance to possibly cross the 300 made threes plateau before the end of the year.

Only Stephen Curry (six times), James Harden, Anthony Edwards, Malik Beasley, and Klay Thompson have ever achieved such a feat, and Knueppel could do so in his first NBA season. Despite being only 58 games into his NBA career, Knueppel is already achieving things not even Curry did when he first entered the league.

Between his shooting and scoring numbers, as well as the Hornets’ clear success rising in the Eastern Conference standings to be a competitive organization, Knueppel has solidified himself at the top of the NBA rookie rankings with just about seven weeks left in the 2025-26 season.

At the start of the year, it was a given that Flagg would win the Rookie of the Year award and be the face of this year’s NBA rookie class. Well, with Flagg injured and the Dallas Mavericks in no position to compete for the rest of the year, this race is Knueppel’s to lose at this point.

1. Kon Knueppel – Charlotte Hornets

Previous Ranking: #1

Stats: 58 games, 19.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 48.9 FG%, 43.6 3P%

The Hornets have battled injuries and lineup changes all season. LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller both missed time due to injury, and plenty of others have been in and out of Charles Lee’s nightly rotations for a variety of reasons. But the one constant in Charlotte has been Knueppel, who has only missed one game this year and has been spectacular all season.

The 20-year-old sharpshooter looks like an aged veteran on the perimeter, and he has such a high understanding of how to move off the ball to open up the maximum amount of space for himself. Just like how Steph Curry is always moving and finding an open spot to get a 3-point attempt off, Knueppel is always doing the same and looks like the clear answer for who will be the best shooter in the NBA once Curry calls it quits.

No player has ever put together a shooting season quite like Knueppel in their first year, and he still has 23 games left on the schedule. As previously mentioned, there is an outside chance he could come close to reaching 300 made threes on the year, which would be a historic accomplishment for Knueppel.

At this point, it’s hard to envision anyone else winning the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award at this point unless Knueppel gets hurt.

2. Cooper Flagg – Dallas Mavericks

Previous Ranking: #2

Stats: 49 games, 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals, 48.2 FG%, 30.2 3P%

Cooper Flagg has missed four straight games dating back to before the All-Star break as a result of a left midfoot sprain that an MRI revealed. While the Mavericks are obviously not in a position to contend for a playoff spot, they won’t be shutting Flagg down for the remainder of the season and tanking.

As good as Flagg has been this season, his impact has not translated to wins in Dallas. The same cannot be said about Knueppel and the Hornets, as his contributions have directly tied to Charlotte winning games. That is why Knueppel finds himself in the top spot of these NBA rookie rankings late in the year.

What Flagg has done this season cannot be overlooked. Although he was the No. 1 pick and carried high expectations into his first season, with many stating he was the best American draft prospect since LeBron James, Flagg has lived up to the hype.

Flagg has recorded seven games scoring at least 30 points this season, and four of them have come since Jan. 29, when he scored a career-high 49 points on 20-of-29 shooting against Knueppel and the Hornets. The All-Star potential is there for the Mavs’ rookie, and he will be the face of the franchise alongside Kyrie Irving entering the 2026-27 season.

3. VJ Edgecombe – Philadelphia 76ers

Previous Ranking: #3

Stats: 54 games, 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 42.8 FG%, 36.4 3P%

When Joel Embiid doesn’t play due to rest or injury, VJ Edgecombe suddenly becomes the Philadelphia 76ers’ No. 2 option next to Tyrese Maxey. Edgecombe has thrived in his role this season, and that’s the main reason why he was a featured player during All-Star Weekend at the Rising Stars event.

Scoring 23 points during the showcase, Edgecombe went on to win the Rising Stars MVP. That is quite the accomplishment for the 76ers’ rookie, especially given that he’s in the shadow of Knueppel and Flagg right now.

No rookie in the league has played more minutes than Edgecombe this season, and he’s been on a hot streak, scoring at least 20 points in three of the team’s four games out of the All-Star break.

4. Derik Queen – New Orleans Pelicans

Previous Ranking: #4

Stats: 58 games, 12.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 49.0 FG%

Derik Queen has been one of the lone bright spots for the New Orleans Pelicans this season. Whether or not the Pelicans made the right decision trading away their 2026 first-round pick to land Queen is open for interpretation, but the organization has been very pleased with his production and rookie development.

Not only does Queen lead all rookies in rebounds (422), but because he also leads them in total assists (234). That goes to show the impact Queen can make outside of his flashy footwork in the low post and scoring instincts as a new-age big man.

5. Maxime Raynaud – Sacramento Kings

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Stats: 51 games, 10.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 55.0 FG%, 25.6 3P%

One of the more surprising rookies this season has been second-round pick Maxime Raynaud on the Sacramento Kings. As a result of various injuries, specifically to star big man Domantas Sabonis, the Kings were forced to throw Raynaud into an elevated role early in the season, and he has since become a focal point for them in the starting rotation.

Since the start of February, Raynaud has averaged 13.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game while shooting 57.5 percent from the floor. Although his 3-point shooting is not where it was a year ago in college, Raynaud is making a difference with his double-double-like abilities.

He is most definitely an All-Rookie selection this year.

6. Cedric Coward – Memphis Grizzlies

Previous Ranking: #5

Stats: 48 games, 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 46.8 FG%, 34.0 3P%

Cedric Coward has slipped slightly in the NBA rookie rankings as a result of injuries keeping him on the sideline and the Memphis Grizzlies beginning to tank. He recently suffered a hyperextended knee, an injury that could wind up sidelining Coward for the rest of the year.

Nonetheless, Coward has proven to be one of the young pillars of the Grizzlies’ rebuild, and he’s one of the reasons why the organization decided to part ways with Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. Once Ja Morant is traded in the offseason, Coward will have a clear path to becoming the face of the Grizzlies with his two-way abilities on the wing.

7. Tre Johnson – Washington Wizards

Previous Ranking: #6

Stats: 44 games, 12.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 43.6 FG%, 37.0 3P%

The Washington Wizards are definitely happy with the rookie season Tre Johnson has put together. Aside from being a natural scorer anywhere on the court, Johnson has made a name for himself with NBA fans by ranking fifth among all rookies in 3-pointers made (87).

Although his minutes are down and being watched carefully since he is coming back from a hip flexor strain, Johnson has recorded at least 10 points in four of his last five games, with all four of his double-digit scoring performances resulting in him playing less than 20 minutes.

8. Dylan Harper – San Antonio Spurs

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Stats: 46 games, 10.9 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 47.0 FG%, 25.4 3P%

Unlike Knueppel and Flagg, Dylan Harper’s path as a top draft pick has been different since he wasn’t immediately thrown into the spotlight. If you ask Harper, he is in the perfect position, not just because he’s on a championship-caliber, young team in the San Antonio Spurs, but he gets to learn from De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle in the backcourt.

There are clear areas of growth in Harper’s game since the start of the season, particularly as a scorer off the dribble and making the right reads as a playmaker. Since the start of February, Harper has averaged 12.3 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting a very efficient 55.6 percent from the floor.

9. Egor Demin – Brooklyn Nets

Previous Ranking: #9

Stats: 50 games, 10.5 points, 3.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 39.6 FG%, 38.5 3P%

Many draft experts said Egor Demin couldn’t shoot coming out of college and that his game wouldn’t translate to the NBA. Well, it seems like a lot of people got Demin mixed up with someone else, as he’s been everything the Brooklyn Nets had hoped for as a reliable 3-point shooting specialist.

Add Demin’s length and athleticism to the equation, and all of a sudden, the Nets have a young talent they can mold into an all-around impactful guard for years to come. Demin has knocked down 122 total triples this season, the second most among all rookies.

10. Ace Bailey – Utah Jazz

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Stats: 51 games, 11.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 44.5 FG%, 33.2 3P%

Ace Bailey did not have a good start to the season. He struggled to find his shot, and he went through early rookie learning phases with the Utah Jazz. Since the start of the new year, Bailey looks more confident, and he is cementing himself as a key talent in Utah’s system.

The Jazz rookie has played in 21 games since the calendar flipped to 2026, and he’s scored at least 10 points in 16 of those games, including five 20-plus-point games. Bailey has also increased his rebounding effort, averaging 6.4 rebounds per game in February.

The post NBA Rookie Power Rankings: Is ROTY race Kon Knueppel’s to lose with Cooper Flagg injured? appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Williams continued a breakout stretch during Tuesday’s 123-114 win over the Brooklyn Nets. The 26-year-old recorded his first double-double of the season, posting 19 points and 10 assists on 9-of-11 shooting in 29 minutes off the bench. It marked the third time in his last four games that he’s posted at least 15 points and seven assists.

“I think you can see that he’s turned the corner of being able to play-make for others,” Jason Kidd said of Williams’ recent performance. “Using his speed to get into the paint and not always looking to score, but making plays for others. And tonight, he did that. I think it was a carryover from Sunday’s game. He made some big shots for us. I thought he played pretty good defense too… But I think you can see he’s starting to get comfortable running the team.”

The Mavericks signed Williams to a standard contract before this season after he spent the last two on a two-way deal. The 6-foot-1 floor general has been a bright spot amid an expanded opportunity.

Brandon Williams turning heads during expanded opportunity with Mavericks

Williams has averaged 15.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists on 56.9 percent shooting over his last 21 appearances. The Mavericks have been 6.4 points better per 100 possessions with him on the court vs. off this season, the team’s best mark among players who have played over 600 minutes, per CleaningTheGlass.

“I’ve worked on my game a lot. Credit that to the people behind the scenes. [Keith] Veney and Dru [Anthrop], all those guys make sure I’m ready, as well as Phil [Handy],” Williams said after Tuesday’s win. “I’m doing whatever it takes. Offensively and even defensively as well, just being scrappy on that end. But offensively, I’m just taking what the defense gives. Relying a lot on, obviously everybody knows about Kyrie, but the [other] floor setters for our team, Ryan [Nembhard] and Tyus [Jones], I’m always leaning on those guys and seeing what they’re seeing. Asking them what they’re seeing out there and putting it into my game. Ultimately, it’s leading to wins.”

Williams is vying for a long-term role in a crowded point guard rotation featuring Irving, Nembhard, and Jones. The Mavericks will face a decision on the guard in unrestricted free agency this summer.

The post Jason Kidd reveals how Mavericks’ surprise breakout guard is ‘turning the corner’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

And while the now 46-year-old once wanted to wash the locker room with the Mavericks owner, Odom now appears more willing to move on.

“Man this white man got it in his heart to get his point across. He needs to kick me in my shin. You know, Mark Cuban time has passed. I forgive you. But if it wasn’t for your cousin sitting right next to you right here, I was going to put him through the locker and wash the lockers with him. Yo, I was going to wash the locker room with him,” he explained on the Cousins podcast, per HoopsHype.

Odom had come to Dallas after a stellar season during which he averaged 14.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. He was flipped to Dallas for essentially nothing more than an $8.9 million trade exception and a future first-round pick.

However, the transaction quickly dissolved into a basketball and public relations disaster. Dealing with personal issues including the previous loss of his infant son and drug use, Odom’s on-court production cratered to career lows of 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting an abysmal 35.2% from the floor. Cuban reportedly subjected Odom to relentless heckling from his courtside seats, openly criticizing his conditioning and branding him a “waste of money.”

Odom’s career understandably never took off again. He was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers the following season as part of a four-team deal. Odom averaged four points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in the 2012-13 campaign before stints in Spain and China.

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Bagley turned in his most efficient performance of the season during Tuesday’s 123-124 win over the Brooklyn Nets. The 6-foot-10 big man posted a team-high 22 points and five rebounds on 10-of-13 shooting in 20 minutes off the bench.

“He’s a really good player,” Jason Kidd said of Bagley’s performance. Talking to him, he’s a grown up and he understands the NBA game a little bit. Sometimes it takes time. We all want it to happen overnight. But I think the coaching staff, the media, everyone that’s been on this road trip with him has made him comfortable, and you can see the way he’s playing. If it’s not in the post, it’s an offensive rebound, and then playing defense for us. So the trust with everybody is high, and he’s brand new, and that just shows how talented he is.”

Bagley has been unable to find an NBA home after the Sacramento Kings selected him No. 2 overall in 2018, directly ahead of Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young.

Marvin Bagley turns heads during first games with Mavs after Anthony Davis trade

The former Duke star has changed teams five times during his eight-year NBA career. After spending his first three seasons with the Kings, he saw stints with the Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards before landing in Dallas at this year’s trade deadline.

While Bagley’s career has been disappointing, he’s making the most of his new opportunity with the rebuilding Mavericks. With Derek Lively sidelined, the 26-year-old has averaged 13.0 points and 8.2 rebounds on 64.3 percent shooting across five appearances with the team.

“Just keep building,” Bagley said of his mindset following Tuesday’s win. “It’s continuing to learn each other, at least for myself and the new guys. Just continuing to gel with the guys that have been here, learning the system, and just every day putting your best foot forward and giving it your all. That’s my mindset, and it looks like that’s the rest of the guy’s mindset here as well. I love to be a part of this, and I’m just happy that I have teammates like that.”

Bagley is on an expiring minimum contract and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

The post Jason Kidd praises former top draft pick finding his way with Mavericks after surprise trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Middleton just helped the Mavs (20-36) end a 10-game losing streak by scoring a team-high 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting against the Indiana Pacers. He had recorded double-digit shot attempts in his first three contests entering the Nets game, so it stands to reason that Dallas will struggle even more if the 34-year-old forward is forced to miss extended time.

Fans have no problem with the Mavericks plunging further into the abyss this season if it means securing a coveted draft pick this summer, but they also understand the positive impact an accomplished player like Middleton can have on Rookie of the Year favorite Cooper Flagg and other young guys on the squad. He can potentially add insight that could benefit them going into the 2026-27 campaign. That could be harder to do if he is out of commission.

Middleton, who came over in the Anthony Davis trade with the Washington Wizards, will be a free agent at the end of the season. However, he may be able to enter the open market a little sooner. The Charleston, South Carolina native has spent the last two years on losing teams, so he could seek a buyout with the Mavs and attempt to land on a title contender before the playoffs begin. Dallas is leaving the decision up to him.

But as the injuries pile up, it is hard to know how much interest Khris Middleton can draw around the league. This latest setback could complicate his spring plans.

The post Mavericks’ Khris Middleton leaves Nets clash with shoulder injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Cooper Flagg was scheduled to appear on the Jimmy Fallon show on Monday night during the Mavericks’ visit to New York before their game against the Nets. But his appearance was cancelled as the team did not travel to the New York following the Pacers game, as per Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News.

It is currently unknown if Flagg’s appearance on the show will be rescheduled at all. The Mavericks have already made their lone visit to Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks, and this is their only trip to see the Nets.

In any case, Flagg’s pending appearance on the show is further proof that he’s among the up and coming faces of the NBA. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg has been one of the frontrunners for the league’s Rookie of the Year Award. His only competition is Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel.

Flagg is presently dealing with a foot injury, and has not played since the Mavericks’ season resumed following the All-Star break.

He’s appeared in 49 games this season, at a little over 34 minutes per game. Flagg has averaged 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals with splits of 48.2 percent shooting from the field, 30.2 percent shooting from the field and 80.4 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The Mavericks are currenlty 20-36, and in 12th place in the Western Conference standings. Their win against the Pacers on Sunday snapped a 10-game losing streak.

The post Cooper Flagg’s Jimmy Fallon appearance halted by New York storms appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Following Sunday’s loss to the Hawks, the Nets’ plane will be grounded in Atlanta through Monday, according to league sources. Brooklyn is planning to fly to New York on Tuesday morning, weather permitting.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks are stuck in Indianapolis after beating the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

Blizzard strands Nets, Mavericks outside of New York ahead of matchup in Brooklyn

Tuesday’s matchup will have significant implications for the NBA’s tank race.

Following four straight losses, the Nets (15-41) have gained sole possession of third place in the draft lottery standings. They’re tied in the win column and two back in the loss column of the Indiana Pacers (15-43), who sit in second. The New Orleans Pelicans (16-42) and Washington Wizards (16-40) sit in fourth and fifth, respectively.

Meanwhile, Dallas is also battling for position in the top 10. The Mavericks had lost 10 straight games before Sunday’s win over the Pacers. Cooper Flagg has missed the team’s last three contests due to a foot injury.

Dallas currently sits in seventh place in the lottery standings, 1.5 games ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies in eighth and 2.5 games behind the Utah Jazz in sixth.

The post Blizzard grounds Nets’ plane in Atlanta, could threaten Mavs matchup in Brooklyn appeared first on ClutchPoints.

To start things off, Cooper Flagg is on the injury report alongside several key Mavericks contributors, with the rookie forward ruled out due to a left midfoot sprain. Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam headlines a lengthy Pacers report and is listed as questionable with left hamstring injury management, per the official injury report.

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)*

Cooper Flagg, Pascal Siakam injury status vs. Pacers

Given Cooper Flagg is officially ruled out on the injury report, the expectation is Dallas will once again be without its No. 1 overall pick and primary offensive engine. Flagg has been the Mavericks’ most consistent performer this season, averaging 20.4 points and 6.6 rebounds.

The rookie sat out the Mavericks’ recent 122-111 loss to Minnesota due to the same midfoot sprain. Without Flagg, and with Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II also sidelined, Dallas has been surrendering 117.4 points per game and will take some respite from the fact that even the Pacers are severely understaffed.

Siakam has been listed as questionable. He leads Indiana with 23.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, and his potential absence comes alongside Tyrese Haliburton’s, who is already ruled out for the season with an Achilles tear.

However, both teams have plenty of other players also sitting out.

Mavericks injury report

Cooper Flagg: Out (left midfoot sprain)

Kyrie Irving: Out (left knee surgery)

Dereck Lively II: Out (right foot surgery)

Max Christie: Questionable (left ankle sprain)

Daniel Gafford: Questionable (right ankle injury management)

Caleb Martin: Probable (left ankle sprain)

Moussa Cisse: Doubtful (two-way)

Ryan Nembhard: Doubtful (two-way)

Miles Kelly: Probable (two-way)

Pacers injury report

Pascal Siakam: Questionable (left hamstring injury management)

Andrew Nembhard: Questionable (low back injury management)

T.J. McConnell: Questionable (right hamstring soreness)

Kam Jones: Questionable (low back soreness)

Micah Potter: Questionable (left ankle sprain)

Quenton Jackson: Questionable (two-way)

Taelon Peter: Questionable (two-way)

Tyrese Haliburton: Out (right Achilles tear)

Aaron Nesmith: Out (right ankle sprain)

Obi Toppin: Out (right foot stress fracture)

Johnny Furphy: Out (ACL tear)

Ivica Zubac: Out (left ankle sprain)

The post NBA news: Cooper Flagg, Pascal Siakam headline ridiculously long Mavericks-Pacers injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In their first game out of the All-Star break, the Lakers got out to a 14-point lead late in the 1st quarter, 41-27, thanks to a hot shooting start by Luka Doncic. In 12 first quarter minutes of play, Doncic recorded 17 points, two rebounds, and four assists while shooting 6-of-8 from the field and 4-of-5 from three.

Doncic’s four assists led to a pair of three-pointers and a pair of two-pointers, meaning he was responsible for 27 of the Lakers 41 points in the opening period.

Doncic’s 17-point first quarter marked the 30th time that the guard has recorded at least 10 points in a quarter against the Clippers. It’s also the 60th time that Doncic has recorded 10 or more points against the Clippers in a single quarter, regular season and postseason included.

Tonight's 1st quarter was the 60th time in Luka Doncic's career he's recorded 10+ points in a quarter against the LA Clippers.

It was his 30th in the regular season.

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 21, 2026

The only other players to have more quarters of 10 or more points against the Clippers are Kevin Durant, with 79. Doncic entered a tie with Stephen Curry’s 60 quarters of 10 or more points against the Clippers.

The stark difference between the three? Durant is currently in his 18th season in the NBA, Stephen Curry is in his 17th season, and Doncic is only in his eighth season. By the time it’s all said and done, who knows how far ahead Luka Doncic is on that list.

Additionally, Luka Doncic has the second highest points per game average against the Clippers of any player versus a franchise.

Doncic’s 32.1 points per game average trails only Michael Jordan’s 32.3 points per game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The next three highest points per game averages against a single franchise are also owned by Michael Jordan (32.0 verys the Cavs, 32.0 versus the Knicks, and 31.9 versus the Knicks).

Luka Doncic averages 32.1 points per game against the LA Clippers.

It's the 2nd highest career points per game average of any player vs. one franchise (regular season and postseason). pic.twitter.com/Bw2fVALr7w

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) February 21, 2026

Entering Friday’s game, Luka Doncic had played 42 games against the LA Clippers, counting both the regular season and postseason. He has a record of 23-19 in those games.

The post The Luka Doncic stats that prove he loves playing against Clippers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Cooper Flagg was ruled out on the Mavericks’ injury report for their game against the Timberwolves as he is dealing with a foot sprain. Flagg first sustained the injury back on Feb. 10, right before the All-Star break. He missed the team’s final game before the break against the Los Angeles Lakers, and he was ruled out for the Rising Stars challenge.

In that game against the Suns, Flagg finished with 27 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal in 36 minutes. He shot 8-of-20 from the field and 11-of-14 from the free-throw line. It was just one more strong performance in what’s become a regular occurrence for the No. 1 overall pick.

Flagg has appeared in 49 games for the Mavericks as a rookie, at a little over 34 minutes per game. He’s been averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals with splits of 48.2 percent shooting from the field, 30.2 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 80.4 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

He is leading all rookies in scoring, and he is third in rookie double-doubles behind only Derik Queen and Maxime Raynaud, respectively. Flagg would appear to be the front-runner for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year Award, although he has some strong competition from Charlotte Hornets wing Kon Knueppel.

In addition to Flagg, the Mavericks had a few other key players pop up on the injury report. Max Christie (ankle) and Daniel Gafford (ankle) are both questionable due to injury, while Ryan Nembhard, Miles Kelly and Moussa Cisse are all on G League assignment. Caleb Martin is also out due to an ankle injury, while Dereck Lively II and Kyrie Irving will be out for the remainder of the season.

The post Mavericks get plethora of injury updates with Cooper Flagg ruled out vs. Timberwolves appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Mavericks have become an entirely different unit two years after Thompson’s arrival. They are languishing in the bottom half of the standings with a 19-35 record and are highly unlikely to return to the NBA Finals, which they reached a season before Thompson joined the squad.

Dallas will continue to build around Cooper Flagg and find younger pieces for the future. For ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, that does not bode well for Thompson and the other veterans.

“Other than (Daniel) Gafford, the one big name that we should try to keep an eye on, whether it’s a buyout in the offseason or a potential trade, is Klay Thompson,” said Siegel on “Clutch Scoops.”

“Because he’s gonna be in the final year of his contract, he doesn’t seem to fit their timeline anymore, and he wants to be on a team that’s gonna be contending for a championship. So I would keep an eye on Klay Thompson, what’s gonna happen with him around the time of the draft.”

. @TomerAzarly and @BrettSiegelNBA are live to talk NBA All-Star, tanking problems + some early NBA Offseason intel!https://t.co/duIKN4TFxL

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 19, 2026

It’s not difficult to imagine the 36-year-old Thompson playing for a new team next season. As Siegel mentioned, the Mavericks are moving in a different direction with the fast ascent of Flagg, making the older guys on the roster more expendable.

While Thompson is still one of the deadliest shooters in the NBA and has been serviceable off the bench for the Mavericks, he has been slowed down considerably by his past injuries.

The four-time champion is averaging career-lows of 11.6 points, 38.8% field goals, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 22.1 minutes per outing.

The post Mavericks rumors: Watch out for Klay Thompson buyout or trade this summer appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Mavs head coach Jason Kidd specifically explained why the 2016 NBA champion will be inactive for the remainder of the season.

“Long-term health,” he said, per Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. “We want to make sure he’s ready to go for next season…For him, at practice, some of the things that he’s working on, he looks good. I think as we get into March and April, we want him to keep going in the right direction. For that decision he made, we’re thinking about the long term of his health and for us being healthy going into next season.”

The Mavericks are hoping to come back strong next season

Dallas obviously does not want Irving to return for the final stretch of a lost campaign and potentially suffer a setback or inadvertently hurt the franchise’s draft positioning. The Mavericks have had a miserable year, as they lumber their way through the post-Luka Doncic era. Fantastic rookie Cooper Flagg ensures that Dallas can return to an upward trajectory at some point soon, but he could certainly use some more help.

A premium draft pick in a loaded class could give the Mavs one of the brightest futures in the NBA. It also benefits Kyrie Irving. The 33-year-old knows he has a limited amount of time to win another ring. He is still a high-level scorer, but carrying huge offensive responsibilities on a nightly basis seems impractical, especially following a major injury. An ascending Flagg and a possible top-five pick could shoulder the burden a bit.

Though, because of the youthful talent on this roster, Irving will still be a vitally important component of the Mavericks for the next two seasons. He cannot take on that role unless he is healthy, however. The future Hall of Famer now has an additional 200-plus days to get right.

The post Mavericks’ Jason Kidd explains why Kyrie Irving won’t play again this season appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Reports indicate that the Mavericks have ruled out the 19-year-old rookie for Friday’s contest, as he is still dealing with a mid-foot sprain, according to NBA Insider Marc Stein. Flagg will be considered day-to-day after the game against the Timberwolves.

“Mavericks coach Jason Kidd tells reporters in Minneapolis that Cooper Flagg (left mid-foot sprain) is out Friday against the Timberwolves and will be day-to-day thereafter. It will be Flagg’s sixth missed game this season for 19-35 Dallas.”

Despite being ruled out, it appears Flagg could return sooner, rather than later. The Mavericks’ star was seen jogging on the court, no longer wearing a boot on his left foot, per Christian Clark. That’s a great sign for Flagg’s health.

Cooper Flagg is out tomorrow. No longer wearing the boot and was running. Asked Jason Kidd if he’ll play on this road trip. Kidd said they’re taking it “day by day.” pic.twitter.com/CnI05UM7V2

— Christian Clark (@christianpclark) February 19, 2026

Cooper Flagg was first spotted wearing the boot while attending a Duke Blue Devils basketball game during the All-Star Break. Although having an injury is never ideal, it appears the break from the season was near-perfect timing for the former No. 1 overall pick. The Mavericks will likely continue monitoring Flagg in the coming days.

When healthy, Flagg has been as advertised. In his first season in the league, Cooper Flagg is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48.2% from the floor and 30.2% from beyond the three-point line. He’s also played in 49 of the Mavericks’ available 54 games.

The post Mavericks star Cooper Flagg won’t play vs. Timberwolves due to mid-foot sprain appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In the aftermath of the Doncic trade, fans were left wondering why on Earth Dallas would make such an inexplicable move. After the team lucked into Flagg in the draft lottery, a conspiracy theory arose that said that the league front office instructed Harrison and the Mavericks to send Doncic to the Lakers, promising the team the first overall draft pick in return.

Now, sports journalist Pablo Torre is providing some credence to that speculation.

“I’ll tell you that I remember I was at an event, and I spoke to two NBA owners. This was the day after the NBA lottery. And those two owners were both like, ‘This was obviously fixed.’ I’m not saying that it was fixed for the Mavs. I’m simply saying that it’s not just you, Will, and people on the Internet, who are saying, ‘This seems fixed to me, and I believe it to be so,’” said Torre on the Chapo Trap House, per Pro Football Network.

The theory suggests that the NBA wanted to get Doncic to a bigger market in Los Angeles and give the Lakers another superstar to transition into for their post-LeBron James years.

Meanwhile, Flagg is already looking like a burgeoning superstar in his own right, showing off his impressive combination of size, athleticism, and defensive instincts to burst onto the scene as one of the best young players in the league today.

In any case, the Mavericks will next take the floor on Friday evening vs the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The post NBA rumors: Pablo Torre claims multiple owners believe 2025 draft was rigged for Mavericks after Luka Doncic trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Currently, he is averaging 20.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

On Monday, his star power was obvious when his rookie-debut jersey sold for $1 million by Sotheby’s, per Dan Hajducky of ESPN. It was the jersey he wore in the first half of his first game.

“The $1 million result for Cooper Flagg’s rookie debut jersey is a powerful testament to the significance collectors place on true ‘first moments’ in sport,” Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles, said in a statement. “This jersey captures the very beginning of a special career, one carrying huge expectations and excitement.”

In November 2023, Victor Wembanyama held the previous record when the jersey he wore in the second half of his debut sold for $762,000.

On Oct. 22, Flagg made his debut with the Mavericks against the San Antonio Spurs. Ultimately, he came away with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds, even though the Mavericks lost 125-92.

In the process, Flagg became the youngest player in franchise history to debut at 18 years old.

Sotheby’s will host an NBA Rookie Debut Auction from March 17 to 23. It will feature the debut jerseys of Kon Knueppel, Dylan Harper, Derik Queen, and VJ Edgecombe.

Currently, Flagg is leading all rookies in points per game. He is also second in total points scored with 999. Also, he is second in rebounds with 321 and third in assists with 302.

The post Cooper Flagg jersey sells for record $1 million appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Over the weekend, the NBA All-Star festivities took place in Los Angeles, and now, Irving is putting the NBA media on blast for their conduct at the event.

“No real questions,” said Irving of the media, per Sportsville on Instagram. “And anytime somebody asks a real question, it’s a lob for something else, or a brand setup or something. And y’all know the real question I’m talking about… they don’t want to talk about anything that’s really going on. Y’all know what I’m talking about.”

While Irving didn’t specify further, he did refuse to do an interview with ESPN over the weekend, saying that he “didn’t really care” for the publication.

Irving also recently wore a shirt that honored the journalists covering the conflict between Israel and Palestine, per Al Jazeera.

“Dedicated to our beloved journalists in Gaza showing the world the truth,” read the tag on the shirt.

Irving has never been shy about speaking his mind on real-world issues throughout his career, which has sometimes landed him in hot water with the league front office, particularly during his time with the Brooklyn Nets.

The star has been out of the lineup since tearing his ACL last March, shortly after the Mavericks’ shocking trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, and has watched from the sideline this year as Flagg has turned into one of the best rookies in recent NBA history.

The Mavericks will next take the floor on Friday evening vs the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The post Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving calls out media for not asking ‘real questions’ at NBA All-Star Weekend appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Irving wrote a statement about the decision, according to Joey Mistretta of Clutch Points.

“This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one. I am grateful for the Mavericks organization, my teammates and our fans for their continued support throughout the process,” Irving wrote. “I am looking forward to coming back stronger next season. The belief and drive I have inside only grows.

“And I wanted to send a huge shoutout to ALL of my brothers and sisters out there who’ve torn their ACL or gotten injured doing what they love to do every day. THANK YOU for the inspiration. No fear!”

Irving’s agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, told ESPN that this will help the Mavericks’ guard return at full strength next season.

“This is about Kyrie being 1000% when he comes back and giving himself the best chance to chase a championship next season,” Riley Irving said via Shams Charania.

With the Mavericks near the bottom of the Western Conference standings and having bought into building the team around Cooper Flagg, there wasn’t much of a need for Irving to rush back. If they were fighting for a playoff spot, things would probably be different, and he’d have made a return around the time he was supposed to.

Sitting out for the entire season gives Irving more time to get back to the player that he was before the injury, which is one of the most dangerous scoring point guards. It will be interesting to see how he looks when he gets back on the floor next season.

The post Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving drops statement on sitting out entire season for knee injury rehab appeared first on ClutchPoints.

No matter how you feel about tanking, it has always existed in the NBA. Quite honestly, it exists in almost every professional sport, as teams always want to set themselves up for the most future success by adding the best, high-level talent via the draft. That is what is happening in the NBA, especially this season since the 2026 NBA Draft has a chance to be historic with the talent entering the league.

The NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver are taking the tanking problems very seriously, which is why both the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers have already received hefty fines. More changes are to come regarding the NBA’s tanking rules, yet Cuban is on the opposite side from Silver in the sense that he believes tanking is something the league needs to embrace.

“The NBA has been misguided thinking that fans want to see their teams compete every night with a chance to win. It’s never been that way,” Cuban wrote in a long dissertation on social media Tuesday morning. “When I got into the NBA, they thought they were in the basketball business. They aren’t. They are in the business of creating experiences for fans… Fans know their team can’t win every game. They know only one team can win a ring. What fans that care about their team’s record want is hope.

“The one way to get closer to that is via the draft. And trades. And cap room. You have a better chance of improving via all three when you tank.”

Cuban certainly isn’t wrong in his case for the league to embrace tanking, as he and many other owners share similar remarks in terms of looking ahead to the future success of the NBA and their franchises.

Tanking for a year or two can easily result in a team becoming a true championship contender, and if anyone needs any proof of this, simply look at where the Oklahoma City Thunder were five to six years ago versus where they are now.

Even with teams tanking and trying to lose games, the NBA is still in a great place because of the talent that exists and how competitive these games are. As Cuban alludes to, the league shouldn’t focus on teams tanking, but rather on the “affordability and quality” of the games.

That is what truly matters to fans, especially since many complain that the prices to see their favorite teams and players are too high.

After his initial post on Tuesday morning, Cuban expanded his thoughts with a second post discussing why tanking is worse this season compared to previous years and how the league’s new apron and tax penalties impact an organization’s decision to tank.

“With two max (contract) guys you better be trying to go deep in the playoffs,” Cuban wrote. “(If) one of your two max guys underperforms or get hurt, now you are struggling. You hope your injured player comes back before you are out of it. If he can’t. The only smart thing to do is tank. It’s the only way to really improve your team since you are at or near the second apron.”

Cuban also stated how valuable rookie contracts are in the league today because of all the apron rules, as well as how franchises can’t tell the truth to their fans because the NBA will simply fine them for blatantly saying that they aren’t good enough to win.

The NBA finds itself in a tricky situation when it comes to tanking, and this topic will continue to be at the forefront of conversation surrounding the league through the end of the 2025-26 season.

The post Mark Cuban rants about why NBA must ’embrace tanking’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Flagg is wearing the boot since MRI results revealed he has a left midfoot sprain, which, with that diagnosis, Dallas “feels fortunate.” Despite not knowing a timeline for his return, the team ‘appears relieved’ with the left midfoot sprain, since it could’ve been worse.

“Cooper Flagg was indeed spotted with a boot on his left foot Saturday at Duke’s home game against Clemson, but league sources tell The Stein Line that Dallas feels fortunate that last week’s MRI results on Flagg only revealed a left midfoot sprain,” Stein wrote Monday. “It is still not known precisely how long the 19-year-old will be sidelined, but the Mavericks appear relieved that the injury was not more serious.”

Cooper Flagg is in attendance for today’s Duke game. He’s wearing a boot for his left midfoot sprain. pic.twitter.com/TX5G0FGIFY

— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) February 14, 2026

What the Mavericks’ “greater concern” is with Cooper Flagg’s injury

While Flagg had to miss out on representing the Mavericks during All-Star weekend, there’s no denying that the team will take it cautiously, as he is the player who will be built around for the foreseeable future. As Stein notes, the “greater concern” for Dallas is “nursing” the 19-year-old with the team having lost nine straight to head into the All-Star break, leading to a 19-35 record at this point.

“The greater concern for the Mavericks — provided, of course, that the injury gets no worse — figures to be nursing Flagg through the ongoing losing of a 19-35 season,” Stein wrote. “Dallas has lost nine games in a row, which is surely the longest losing skid of Flagg’s basketball life and definitely ranks as the franchise’s longest since a 15-gamer in 1997-98.”

At any rate, it remains to be seen when Flagg returns, as the Mavericks are 12th in the Western Conference, with their first game after the break on Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The post Mavericks rumors: Marc Stein reveals Dallas’ Cooper Flagg injury outlook after boot causes stir appeared first on ClutchPoints.

He mentioned that he would provide a more detailed update after the All-Star break, stating, “I’ll give you guys an update after the All-Star break. Whether it’s this year or next year, it doesn’t really matter. I’ll speak when the time is right.”

Further details from The Stein Line indicate that Kyrie Irving was a noticeable presence at the All-Star Weekend. He recently announced through a Twitch stream that an announcement regarding his possible return this season is forthcoming. He underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee in late March of last year.

The upcoming June draft is critical, as it is the last time Dallas has control of its first-round pick between 2026 and 2031. Therefore, the team has solid reasons to consider allowing Irving, who turns 34 on March 23, to sit out the entire season.

Irving’s preference for a collaborative decision-making process is coupled with his ongoing dissatisfaction with certain media outlets. During his time in Los Angeles for the All-Star festivities, he famously declined an interview request from the world’s largest sports network.

When a publicist informed him of the request, Irving smirked and said, “I don’t really care for ESPN.” This tension is rooted in years of contentious exchanges, most notably with Stephen A. Smith. Even when Smith attempted to compliment Irving’s contract value, the guard retorted, “I’m going to discuss Stephen A’s contract and I’mma say: ‘I don’t think you’re worth it.’”

As the Mavericks continue to transition into an era led by younger talents like Flagg, Irving’s eventual decision will determine whether he re-enters the rotation this season or remains a veteran mentor from the sidelines, safeguarding the team’s valuable draft assets.

The post Mavericks rumors: Kyrie Irving’s ‘strong’ role in deciding injury return appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Irving was taking pictures with fans when a publicist came up to him and said that ESPN was going to interview him. The Dallas Mavericks’ guard gave the person a smirk and later said, “I don’t really care for ESPN.”

Kyrie Irving refused to an interview for ESPN:

“I don’t really care for ESPN”pic.twitter.com/YI1KQSOhS6

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) February 16, 2026

There is some truth that Irving may not be too fond of ESPN, and it could directly relate to Stephen A. Smith, as those two have gone back and forth for years.

The most recent time was when Smith spoke about Irving’s extension with the Mavericks, saying that the guard deserved more than he received.

“In today’s economy, where you got cats getting paid $55, $60 million plus, you couldn’t give this guy at least $43 to $45 million a year? Remember, he was supposed to be getting a player option that would have given him $43 million. So, to me, at $119 million, that is a fraction less than $40 million per. Kyrie Irving deserves more than that,” Smith said.

Though it was a compliment, Irving didn’t take it that way and fired back at Smith.

“I’m going to discuss his contract. I’m going to discuss Stephen A’s contract and I’mma say: ‘I don’t think you’re worth it,’” Irving said.

Before then, Smith would scrutinize Irving not taking the COVID-19 vaccine, which forced him to miss time on the court when he was with the Brooklyn Nets. Smith has since apologized for his stance on that, but it was still a big issue that he would always bring up on First Take.

The beginning of the battle between Smith and Irving may have been when the guard went on First Take after he was traded to the Boston Celtics, and was basically interrogated during his entire segment for why he wanted to leave Cleveland.

The post Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving stiff-arms ESPN interview – ‘Don’t really care for ESPN’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Another player everyone is waiting to see is Kyrie Irving, who is still rehabbing from his ACL injury from last March. Irving has ramped up his rehab, and he was recently on a live stream talking to his fans about an update on his injury.

“I’ll give you guys an update after the All-Star break. Whether it’s this year or next year, it doesn’t really matter. I’ll speak when the time is right,” he said.

Before this season, there were reports that Irving would probably return near the second half of the season. If that still is the case, then there is a chance that he should be closer to getting back on the court, but things could always change. The fact that the Mavericks aren’t particularly in a position where they’re fighting for a playoff spot means they may be giving Irving all the time he needs to get back healthy.

The Mavericks have been missing a point guard like Irving all season, and for the time being, head coach Jason Kidd has put Cooper Flagg at that position. It was a rough start for Flagg, but he has started to get accustomed to his role on the floor and is making strides almost every game.

It would still be interesting to see what the Mavericks would look like with Irving on the floor, but as of now, it’s uncertain if he’ll return to the floor this season.

With the Mavericks also handing over the keys to Flagg, they could even think about going younger in the offseason, and possibly trying to deal Irving if he doesn’t fit with what they’re trying to do.

The post Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving teases injury update after All-Star break appeared first on ClutchPoints.

However, the 19-year-old phenom was seen wearing a walking boot on his left foot. Flagg is dealing with a midfoot sprain, according to Dallas-based basketball reporter Grant Afseth. Cooper Flagg does not appear to be in pain as he walks up and daps it up with an individual upon arriving at the stadium in the clip shared by sports anchor Chase Justice of WYFF News 4.

“Cooper Flagg is currently wearing a boot while he recovers from a left midfoot sprain. The Dallas Mavericks play next on Feb. 20 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.”

Cooper Flagg in the building for this one pic.twitter.com/T4Q9U6htuN

— Chase Justice WYFF News 4 (@ChaseJusticeTV) February 14, 2026

With the Mavericks taking on the Timberwolves on February 20, Flagg has less than a week to be ready for action. The former No. 1 pick sustained the injury on February 7 during Dallas’ 138-125 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. If Cooper Flagg returns for the February 20 game against Minnesota, then that likely means he has a grade-one midfoot sprain, which is not considered a serious injury.

Despite playing as a small forward and power forward during his time at Duke, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has Flagg playing point guard. It’s a decision that has thrown Cooper Flagg into the deep end and could fast-track his development in the NBA.

Through 49 games played so far this season, Flagg is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per contest while shooting 48.2% from the floor and 30.2% from beyond the arc. The Mavericks will likely monitor Cooper Flagg’s left foot in the coming days before declaring his status for the Timberwolves game.

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The Mavs center exited with right ankle soreness, and their forward suffered a left foot strain, per NBA correspondent Marc Stein. Neither returned to the floor.

Marshall scored 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting to go along with four assists and two steals in 29 minutes of action. He has surpassed 30 points in a game twice this month, so Dallas could be in particularly rough shape if he is forced to miss extended time. Gafford played 29 minutes and finished with two points, six rebounds and one block. They will try to come back strong for next Friday’s meeting with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Though, one has to wonder if the Mavericks want them to rush through their respective recoveries. Following this brutal three-week stretch, the team sits in 12th place in the West and is seven games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the final spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

Dallas is unlikely to even have a shot at competing for a playoff berth this season, so the organization may want to join the tanking party that is taking place throughout the league. There could be harsh consequences, however.

Based on how the campaign has gone thus far, the Mavericks may not have to do anything extra to lose games. Players will lick their wounds and try to initiate a mental reset during the break. Fans should get updates regarding Daniel Gafford and Naji Marshall at some point.

The post Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall pick up injuries in loss vs. Lakers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Whereas the Mavs announced that Flagg is out through the All-Star break with a left midfoot sprain, the Wizards announced early Thursday morning that Sarr would miss the All-Star event due to a hamstring strain. This injury will keep Sarr sidelined for approximately two weeks.

Since both Flagg and Sarr are unable to participate in the Rising Stars event, the NBA has already named their replacements for the weekend’s festivities. Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey will be replacing Flagg, and Wizards guard Bub Carrington will be replacing Sarr, his teammate, in the 2026 Rising Stars.

Despite a slow start to his rookie year in Salt Lake City, Bailey has worked his way into being a key contributor for Will Hardy’s team. Since the start of January, Bailey has averaged 13.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 46.4 percent from the floor. He ranks fifth in scoring among all rookies during this stretch.

Bailey has also scored at least 10 points in 14 of his last 16 games, including four 20-point performances.

As for Carrington, he continues to see his role with the Wizards increase with CJ McCollum no longer being on the team and Trae Young yet to make his debut since the big trade in January.

Carrington has started in 24 of the 53 games he’s played this season, averaging 10.2 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 39.3 percent from 3-point range. He is one of 16 second-year players averaging double-digit scoring numbers, and he’s made the third-most threes out of NBA “sophomores” this season.

The 2026 Rising Stars will take place on Friday, February 13, at the LA Clippers’ Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

The post Cooper Flagg, Alex Sarr replacements for NBA All-Star Weekend festivities appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“The Dumont and Adelson families remain fully committed to the Dallas Mavericks’ franchise and to the Dallas community,” a family spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday to Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News. “They remain focused on building a championship organization for the long term.”

“The team is not for sale, and the families look forward to expanding their ownership stake over time.”

The renewed rumors follow reports that an unidentified Dallas-based investment group explored partnering with Cuban to purchase the franchise. However, he believes that regaining majority ownership is unlikely in the near term.

“I get asked fairly often if I would be part of a group if they could buy the team,” the 67-year-old wrote Wednesday to Townsend. “I tell them all the same thing: I don’t see them selling.”

Cuban sold his majority stake in December 2023 to the Adelson family for $3.5 billion. Dumont, Miriam Adelson’s son-in-law, assumed the role of team governor following the transaction. Cuban retained a 27 percent minority ownership share but relinquished control of basketball operations. He later explained that efforts to maintain formal authority over basketball decisions were denied by the NBA, clarifying that league rules designate the governor as the final decision-maker.

Under the terms of the sale agreement, the Dumont and Adelson families hold the option to purchase all but 7 percent of Cuban’s remaining shares within the first four years of ownership. They have until December 2027 to exercise that provision. They reportedly intend to buy back at least a portion of Cuban’s 27 percent stake, a move that would further consolidate control within the current ownership group.

Since the 2023 sale, the franchise has made some headline-grabbing moves, none bigger than the February 2025 trade that sent superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Cuban was not consulted on that decision. The trade, along with subsequent roster moves, contributed to fan dissatisfaction and increased public discussion about ownership direction. Cuban, who originally purchased the Mavericks in 2000 for $285 million, oversaw 23 years that included four Western Conference Finals appearances, two NBA Finals berths, and the 2011 NBA championship.

The post Mavericks rumors: Patrick Dumont has no plans to sell team despite Mark Cuban buzz appeared first on ClutchPoints.

One of the unquestionable rising stars of the NBA’s next generation, Flagg was scheduled to appear in the Rising Stars game during All-Star weekend, but according to ClutchPoints reporter Brett Siegel, he won’t be able to play, as an MRI revealed a foot sprain that will cost the rookie team.

“Mavericks star rookie Cooper Flagg underwent an MRI that revealed a left midfoot sprain,” Siegel wrote. “He will miss Thursday’s game and won’t participate in this weekend’s Rising Stars during All-Star Weekend.”

Widely considered an elite prospect before even setting foot on a college court, Flagg parlayed a great season at Duke into the top spot in the 2025 NBA Draft, landing in Dallas as their Luka Doncic replacement despite having odds in the low single digits heading into the lottery. While things didn’t immediately click, with some foolishly asking if Flagg was a bust a week into his career, he turned things around in short order, quickly becoming the odds-on favorite to win Rookie of the Year once more, just like he was before the start of the season.

With Flagg now sidelined through the All-Star break, Mavericks fans won’t have much to look forward to as the NBA world descends on Los Angeles for a weekend of fun and festivities. Fortunately, the Mavericks have signalled that 2025-26 is a transitional season as they fully lean into the Flagg era, so having to wait for next year’s All-Star weekend to see their young star shine feels like par for the course for the Dallas fanbase.

The post Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg to miss All-Star Weekend with foot sprain appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The issue that ultimately squashed trade talks between the Mavericks and the Pacers and Hawks regarding Gafford was both teams’ unwillingness to include a first-round pick in this upcoming draft, which is what the Mavericks were looking for. The Pacers would not surrender their 2026 first-round pick, while the Hawks, in possession of two 2026 first-round picks, would not give up one of theirs. The 2026 draft is expected to be a good one.

The Mavericks also were reportedly not interested in taking back Bennedict Mathurin from the Pacers so as not to jeopardize their cap space for the offseason, and Mathurin is up for an extension. Mathurin was eventually traded to the LA Clippers, with the Pacers getting their big man in Ivica Zubac.

Gafford remains a productive center, albeit with his injury concerns, and as of right now, he is the Mavericks’ only true available center given the season-ending injury to Dereck Lively II, and not counting two-way contract player Moussa Cisse.

The No. 38 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Gafford was one of the Mavericks’ major deadline acquisitions in 2024, helping the team make a run to the NBA Finals. He’s appeared in 37 games, including 27 starts, at a little over 21 minutes per game.

He’s been averaging 8.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocked shots with splits of 63.4 percent shooting from the field and 75.5 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The post NBA rumors: Why Mavericks didn’t trade Daniel Gafford despite Pacers, Hawks interest appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With the Mavericks trailing the Phoenix Suns late in the third quarter on Tuesday night, the rookie sensation reminded the Footprint Center crowd exactly why he was the most hyped prospect in years.

The sequence began on the defensive end when Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green tried to challenge the rim, only to meet the “Landlord” himself. Daniel Gafford swatted the attempt away, igniting a fast break that left the Suns scrambling.

GAFFORD SWAT. FLAGG SLAM

What a sequence by Dallas! pic.twitter.com/3iRpLxgJrD

— NBA (@NBA) February 11, 2026

Flagg caught the ball in stride and barreled down the lane. Standing between him and the basket was Dillon Brooks, a veteran known for his physical play and defensive intensity. Brooks tried to hold his ground, but Flagg simply powered through the contact, effectively “bullying” the veteran out of the way before throwing down a vicious two-handed slam.

The highlight was a rare bright spot in what has otherwise been a difficult game for Dallas. At the time of the dunk, the Phoenix Suns held a commanding 62-41 lead with under two minutes remaining in the third frame. Despite the scoreboard, the Mavericks bench erupted, and even the Phoenix fans couldn’t help but acknowledge the sheer athleticism of the 19-year-old.

Cooper Flagg has been a lone statistical bright spot for a Dallas squad currently mired in a seven-game losing streak. Entering Tuesday, he was averaging 20.3 points per game, and he continued that production against Phoenix, tallying 22 points as the game headed into the final stretch.

The post Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg bullies Dillon Brooks for vicious finish at the rim appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Middleton is no longer the All-Star caliber player he once was, but he can still provide veteran leadership as well as a few quality minutes every night as a secondary shot-creator/playmaker on the perimeter. He should provide some value for the Mavericks, and he’ll be staying in Dallas even though some thought that he could be bought out considering how much more useful he could be to a contending team.

On Tuesday night, Middleton will be making his debut for the Mavericks, although he’ll be coming off the bench. But head coach Jason Kidd said that there is a chance that he can draw some starts for Dallas really soon.

“At some point, there could be a time when he does start. We want to look at him starting with Cooper and Tyus, so different combinations. That could happen as soon as Thursday or we can wait until after the break but we do want to play him,” Kidd said, per Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News.

Who will Khris Middleton displace on the Mavericks’ starting lineup?

Since Kidd said that the Mavericks plan to start Middleton alongside Cooper Flagg and fellow trade deadline acquisition Tyus Jones, one of PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Max Christie will have to come off the bench instead.

It’s not quite clear why the Mavs would do this, but one would think that one of Christie or Washington will be moving to the bench since Gafford is the team’s nominal starting center. Whoever will be making the sacrifice will be getting the short end of the stick.

The post Jason Kidd shares Mavericks’ Khris Middleton plan after Anthony Davis trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Thompson is listed on the injury report with “rest.” So, will he be available against the Suns? Here’s everything we know about Klay Thompson’s injury status for tonight’s game.

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Klay Thompson’s injury status vs. Suns

Thompson is currently questionable to play, per the NBA injury report.

The 36-year-old has had an up and down season. His final status will surely impact the outcome of Tuesday’s game.

Overall, Dallas holds a 19-33 record. The Mavs are in 12th place in the Western Conference standings. As for the Suns, Phoenix is 31-22 and in seventh place in the West.

When it comes to the question of if Klay Thompson is playing tonight vs. the Suns, the answer is maybe.

Mavericks’ injury report

The Mavs have six players on the injury report.

• Klay Thompson (rest): Questionable
• Ryan Nembhard (G League two-way): Doubtful
• Moussa Cisse (G League two-way): Doubtful
• Miles Kelly (G League two-way): Doubtful
• Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery): Out
• Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery): Out

Suns’ injury report

The Suns have three players on the injury report.

• Grayson Allen (right knee sprain): Out
• Isaiah Livers (left shoulder sprain): Out
• Cole Anthony (not with team): Out

The post Is Klay Thompson playing tonight? Mavericks vs. Suns injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“BREAKING: An unidentified Dallas investor group is interested in partnering with Mark Cuban to buy the Mavericks back from Patrick Dumont, TheSteinLine has learned. A source close to Dumont told me ‘the family remains excited about the future of the franchise and the Cooper Flagg era,'” Stein wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

During a 2024 interview with Wired’s Lauren Goode, Cuban shared why he decided to sell his stake.

“It’s more platforming for the next step,” Cuban said. “I don’t look at myself and think, ‘I’m a man of a certain age. I’ve got to change what I’m doing.’ No. It’s more like, I like to disrupt things. I like to play the game. I like to compete in business.”

The Mavericks are heading into a new direction with Flagg as the cornerstone of the team, and it looks like the investor group has some big plans for how they want the franchise to move forward.

The only thing is that Dumont may not have any interest in selling his stake, which makes sense since he hasn’t had the team for that long. At the same time, we all know money talks, and a certain amount could move Dumont.

The post Mark Cuban, Dallas investor group attempting to rebuy team, but there’s a catch appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Nowitzki began his career with similar expectations as Flagg, which he admitted weighed on him early on. Knowing the situation, Nowitzki told the rookie that his demeanor in the moment has impressed him most this year.

“I admire what you do, already at a young age, coming in with a lot of pressure [as the] first pick,” Nowitzki said during an ‘NBA on Prime’ segment.

From one generation to another

Dirk Nowitzki (@Swish41) talks with rookie Cooper Flagg about his first season in the league, the Dallas community and a whole bunch more! pic.twitter.com/z0aTg2547o

— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) February 7, 2026

Flagg has been all over social media since the beginning of his high school career, setting unusually high expectations for him from the jump. His social media hype made him the No. 1 recruit of the class of 2025 and the runaway favorite to go No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft his entire collegiate career.

Flagg was thrust into unfamiliar territory right away when head coach Jason Kidd decided to start him at point guard on opening night. The 19-year-old responded with a double-double in his debut, and he has only gotten better with each performance.

Flagg is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists through the first 47 games of his professional career. As of Saturday, he is coming off four consecutive 30-point games, including a career-high 49-point bomb against the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 29.

Just as he was the favorite to become the first overall pick in June, Flagg is the clear favorite to win the 2026 Rookie of the Year award.

The post Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki reveals what he admires about Cooper Flagg appeared first on ClutchPoints.

From one generation to another

Dirk Nowitzki (@Swish41) talks with rookie Cooper Flagg about his first season in the league, the Dallas community and a whole bunch more! pic.twitter.com/z0aTg2547o

— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) February 7, 2026

This seemed like a strange request because Flagg could contribute to the Mavericks in so many areas. It was a difficult ask by Kidd because Flagg had to make an adjustment when asked to play such a demanding position, and there were some issues early in the season. However, Flagg has put sensational numbers on the board.

He is averaging a team-leading 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He is on his way towards gaining superstardom status in the NBA and winning multiple honors at the end of the season.

In a conversation with Hall of Famer and former Maverick Dirk Nowitzki, he said it took time to adjust to what Kidd asked him to do. “J. Kidd wanted to stick me into the fire right away, and now I am reaping the benefits,” Flagg said.

Nowitzki told Flagg that he truly admired the multiple strengths he had on the court, and he remembered how different it was for him. “The only thing I was looking to do was score,” Nowitizki said. “You can do so much more and I admire everything you do.”

It is clear that Flagg is getting more comfortable in the NBA on an every-game basis, and he is the player that the Mavericks are building their team around.

The post Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg tells Dirk Nowitzki how he really feels about Jason Kidd’s point guard experiment appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Despite joining the Mavericks before the game against the San Antonio Spurs, Middleton is not making his debut on Saturday. Instead, the hope is that the 34-year-old forward is aiming to make his debut on Tuesday, February 10, when Dallas takes on the Phoenix Suns, according to Christian Clark of The Athletic.

“Khris Middleton joined the Mavericks in San Antonio today. He’s hopeful he’ll be able to play Tuesday in Phoenix.”

This was the second time the 14-year veteran was traded in two seasons. He was initially dealt from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Wizards at the trade deadline in the 2024-25 campaign. Then, Washington traded Middleton to the Mavericks right before the deadline this season.

Khris Middleton is likely to step in as the backup small forward and/or power forward in Dallas once he eventually makes his debut. That’s a similar role he was playing for the Wizards, so not much should change for the three-time All-Star. However, his playing could potentially go down with the Mavericks.

He’s managed to play in 34 games so far this season, as Middleton has been forced to miss some games due to injury management. In the games he has played, Khris Middleton is averaging 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while completing 43.3% of his field goal attempts and shooting 33.3% from beyond the three-point line.

The post When will Khris Middleton make Mavericks debut after missing Spurs game? appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While Nowitzki acknowledged that the trade gives the Mavericks flexibility for the future, he believes they still could have gotten more in return for Davis, whom he believed was a good fit on the court with rookie Cooper Flagg.

“I think the Mavs fans are happy with this, I think they didn’t want to be reminded of what happened a year ago in the Luka trade,” Nowitzki said on ‘NBA on Prime.’ “To me, looking at this deal, there’s not a lot that came back for picks or player-wise, so this is all about financial flexibility for the future… I’m a little disappointed, obviously. I think when AD actually played with Cooper, they played off each other really well. That was a solid combo, but we’ll never know.”

.@blakegriffin23 & @Swish41 both agree it is time for the Mavericks to build around Cooper Flagg pic.twitter.com/iScSrIAvbv

— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) February 7, 2026

The Mavericks sent D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy and Dante Exum to the Wizards. They gained Khris Middleton, Marvin Bagley III, Tyus Jones and A.J. Johnson in return, along with two future first-round draft picks.

One of those picks is the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 first-round selection, which will likely fall in the 25-30 range. The other is the Golden State Warriors’ 2030 first-rounder.

While Dallas ceded a lot in terms of name value, none of the losses affect Jason Kidd’s current rotation. Davis has not played since Jan. 8, and Exum has not seen the court at all in 2025-2026. Russell, who began the season as the team’s sixth man, fell out of the rotation and has not played since Jan. 10.

The post Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki ‘a little disappointed’ with Anthony Davis trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Mavericks are going in a new direction as a franchise as they prepare to build around Cooper Flagg. Kyrie Irving will help lead the way as well. It seemed as if Middleton would be a buyout candidate following the trade, but it appears that he will remain with Dallas for now.

On the injury report, Middleton — as well as the other players acquired in the deal — is listed as “trade pending” even though the deal was officially announced on Thursday. Here’s everything we know about Middleton’s status for tonight’s game vs. the Spurs.

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Khris Middleton’s playing status vs. Spurs

Middleton is listed as doubtful to play on Saturday night, per the NBA injury report.

The 19-32 Mavs will attempt to upset the 35-16 Spurs in San Antonio. On Thursday night, the teams played in Dallas and the Spurs earned a 135-123 win.

As for the question of if Khris Middleton is playing tonight, the answer is probably not.

Mavericks’ injury report

The Mavs have 10 players on the injury report.

• Marvin Bagley II (trade pending): Probable
• AJ Johnson (trade pending): Probable
• Tyus Jones (trade pending): Probable
• Brandon Williams (right lower leg contusion): Probable
• Khris Middleton (trade pending): Doubtful
• Ryan Nembhard (G League two-way): Doubtful
• Moussa Cisse (G League two-way): Doubtful
• Miles Kelly (G League two-way): Doubtful
• Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery): Out
• Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery): Out

Spurs’ injury report

The Spurs have seven players on the injury report.

• De’Aaron Fox (bilateral mid thoratic soreness): Questionable
• Luke Kornet (left adductor tightness/left ankle soreness): Questionable
• Jeremy Sochan (left quad strain): Questionable
• Harrison Ingram (G League two-way): Questionable
• Stanley Umude (G League two-way): Questionable
• Lindy Waters III (left knee hyperextension): Out
• David Jones Garcia (G League two-way): Out

The post Is Khris Middleton playing tonight after trade? Mavericks vs. Spurs injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While none of the Mavericks’ recent acquisitions traveled with the team, they are scheduled to meet them in San Antonio, according to NBA reporter Mark Stein. Each of their playing statuses remains up in the air, per Stein.

The game is the second half of a home-and-home miniseries between the Mavericks and Spurs. None of the players Dallas traded away played in the first game, which tipped off at the American Airlines Center just hours after the trade deadline.

The four players all joined the Mavericks’ roster as part of the shocking deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. In total, Dallas lost Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy and Dante Exum while acquiring Middleton, Bagley, Jones and Johnson.

The 19-32 Mavericks also obtained five draft picks, including the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 first-round selection.

Of the players Dallas traded away, only Hardy has been in the rotation lately. Davis has been out since Jan. 8, and Russell has not played since Jan. 10.

Davis was the main player the Mavericks acquired in their deal centered on Luka Dončić at the 2025 trade deadline, a move that stunned the NBA world. That move continues to set off a chain of events in Dallas, now leading to additional draft capital.

New-look Mavericks to potentially debut against Spurs

While the Mavericks overhauled nearly half their roster, nothing much will change in Kidd’s rotation to end the season.

However, although none of the players Dallas acquired excited fans, they could become immediate factors down the stretch. Middleton, who averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 34 games with the Wizards before the trade, headlines the group and should have an immediate role off the bench.

Bagley had been enjoying a resurgent season in Washington, averaging 10.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and a career-high 1.5 assists per game before the trade. He adds size to a shorthanded Mavericks frontcourt that has been playing without Davis and Dereck Lively II for the last month.

The post Khris Middleton, new Mavericks players set to join team ahead of Spurs clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.

At the same time, he won’t forget the memories that he made with guys such as Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy, and Dante Exum, and he spoke about the trades following their game against the San Antonio Spurs.

“It’s tough,” Flagg said via Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News. “They were all amazing guys to be around, on and off the court. I wish them all the best, and I’m just blessed to be here. Moving forward, whoever is out there on the court with me and the rest of the guys, I’m just looking forward to trying to get better and compete at a really high level.”

Cooper Flagg on his reaction to the Anthony Davis trade & the #Mavs’ decision to build around him:

“It’s tough. They were all amazing guys to be around, on and off the court. I wish them all the best and I’m just blessed to be here.” pic.twitter.com/3awQIwHGTd

— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) February 6, 2026

Flagg was then asked what gives him the confidence that the future is bright for the franchise.

“We still have some really great guys here. Guys like Naji [Marshall], Max [Christie], PJ [Washington]… We have a really bright future, and we can continue to keep competing and getting better every single day,” Flagg said.

The way Flagg has played over the past few weeks, the Mavericks should be in good hands moving forward, and it will be imperative that they put the right players around him to succeed. Flagg is already breaking rookie records and putting his name in history books, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he continued to do so as the season goes along.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Flagg and the Mavericks beyond this season.

The post Here’s what Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg said about Anthony Davis trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

But it appears that his agent, Rich Paul, didn’t know what went down, per Joe Vardon of The Athletic. Instead, he was notified about the trading of Darius Garland from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the LA Clippers for James Harden.

“I’m told Klutch founder Rich Paul wasn’t consulted as the deal for Davis was put together (whereas he was consulted on the trade of Darius Garland to the LA Clippers). This is true. Paul conveyed his message to the Mavericks — do what’s best for the organization, trade Davis or extend him — one month ago.”

Davis, who’s out with a left hand injury, was the second biggest score the Wizards received. In January, the Wizards acquired Trae Young in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks.

Washington is currently 14-36 on the year. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are 19-32. Altogether, Davis completed one full season with the Mavericks. Last February, he was traded to Dallas from the Lakers in exchange for Luka Doncic. A decision that shook up the NBA.

Davis is averaging 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.

Paul is the founder of Klutch Sports, one of the most prominent sports agencies. He is best known for being LeBron James’s longtime agent and friend.

Some of Paul’s other prominent clients include Davis, Draymond Green, Tyrese Maxey, Zach LaVine, and Lonzo Ball.

In January, speculation was that Paul and Davis were starting to drift apart. However, Paul refuted those rumors.

The post Rich Paul left in dark about Anthony Davis trade from Mavericks to Wizards appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Mavericks shipped Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy, and Dante Exum to the Wizards in exchange for Khris Middleton, Marvin Bagley III, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, and five future draft picks. Branham was later traded to the Charlotte Hornets for Tyus Jones.

Among Dallas’ new players, Middleton gives the most value. Some, however, predicted that he would be bought out. But according to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel, that would not be the case.

“Khris Middleton isn’t being bought out and should make his debut for the Mavs on Saturday at San Antonio,” reported Siegel on X.

The 34-year-old Middleton, a three-time All-Star, should provide instant scoring off the bench. While injuries have slowed him down in recent years, he remains a threat with his shooting. He is also a capable defender.

In 34 games with the Wizards this season, he averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.

He could also serve as a mentor to Cooper Flagg, whose role with the Mavericks has suddenly grown even bigger with the departure of Davis and the continued absence of Kyrie Irving due to an ACL injury.

It could be even argued that Middleton and Flagg have the same playing style, with the 19-year-old rookie only having more bounce.

Mavericks interim general manager Michael Finley stressed the need to inject a “winning culture” into the team following the exit of Davis and company.

Middleton is expected to join Jones, Bagley, Klay Thompson, and Brandon Williams in the second unit.

The post Mavericks not buying out Khris Middleton after Anthony Davis trade with Wizards appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Mavericks, of course, had hoped that Davis would be the final piece of their championship puzzle. Instead, they’re back to the drawing board, choosing to pivot towards youth and build around Cooper Flagg. They’ve backed themselves into this corner, and they have to be thanking their lucky stars that they won the lottery last year and got Flagg to compensate for the loss of Doncic.

There’s no use in crying over spilled milk. But at the end of the day, the Mavericks simply did not get a healthy version of the entire team that was built around Davis’ defense, much to head coach Jason Kidd’s regret.

“It was unfortunate, his health. We never got to see everyone together. Not just AD but Kyrie and with Coop. Unfortunately, we didn’t have that opportunity. But AD is an incredible basketball player and a great human being. We wish him the best in D.C.,” Kidd said, per Christian Clark of The Athletic.

Mavericks pull the plug on ill-fated Nico Harrison vision

If one were to squint, they certainly can see that Nico Harrison may have been on to something in his decision to trade Doncic for a Davis-centric package. The Mavericks needed defense, and they had sufficient shot-creation when Kyrie Irving was healthy.

But the basketball gods collected rent from the Mavericks rather quickly. Irving tore his ACL, Davis wasn’t able to find a consistent clean bill of health, and the Mavs, as a result, suffered. Nonetheless, they are not falling prey to the sunk cost fallacy, allowing them to wash the slate clean.

The post Jason Kidd makes ‘unfortunate’ admission on Anthony Davis’ short Mavericks tenure appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“We’ve both spoken to Kyrie at different points, Kyrie is the consummate pro,” Finley told reporters. “Any young player would want a guy like Kyrie on the team. Kyrie has the ultimate respect for Cooper, he loves the kid’s work ethic. He loves the kid’s love for the game. I think Kyrie is embracing the role as a mentor to Cooper.

“So, it’s going to be amazing to have the chance to see those guys on the court, playing together… I think Cooper can learn a lot from Kyrie because of the type of player that he is and what he brings to the table. So I think from a leadership standpoint, Kyrie is looking forward to that challenge, to that task.”

Flagg has been unbelievable in his rookie season. Most of the questions during the press conference were about Flagg, which is understandable. However, it was refreshing to hear a question about Irving, who should not be forgotten.

Nevertheless, Flagg’s outlook is extremely promising. Head coach Jason Kidd spoke to reporters before the trade was made official, so he was unable to directly comment on the Davis-led deal with the Wizards. However, he was able to talk about Flagg’s future as the face of the Mavericks’ franchise.

“Cooper has had an incredible start to his NBA career,” Kidd said. “He’s learning to play the game at a high level. He’s accepted all the challenges. I would say that there’s other pieces to that, not just Cooper.

“Understanding that the young players that we do have, we will continue to develop. He’s also one that will continue to develop.”

The Mavericks will attempt to defeat the Spurs on Thursday night.

The post How Mavericks envision Kyrie Irving fitting alongside Cooper Flagg after Anthony Davis trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

It didn’t take long for him to be gone.

The AD era in Dallas ended before it even began, as the Mavericks traded him to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, along with D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy, and Dante Exum in exchange for Khris Middleton, Marvin Bagley III, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, and five future draft picks.

Michael Finley, the interim general manager of the Mavericks, stressed that they had to make a move ahead of the trade deadline, as reported by ClutchPoints’ Joey Mistretta.

“We needed to do something to bring back the winning culture here in Dallas. We thought that doing the move that we did puts us back in that conversation, gives the fans something to be excited about,” said Finley.

“I think we’re moving in the right direction by doing the move that we did. It puts us in the mindset of having a championship atmosphere around here, and that’s what it’s all about. I think we’ve achieved that.”

Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi’s opening statements after the trade was officially announced pic.twitter.com/pHvpOzqwg4

— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) February 6, 2026

Dallas already had a championship atmosphere when it returned to the NBA Finals in 2024, led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks, however, shockingly traded Doncic, along with Markieff Morris and Maxi Kleber, in a three-team deal with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz before last season’s trade deadline. Dallas received Davis, Max Christie, and a future draft pick.

Davis only played 29 games for Dallas as injuries once again hampered him.

The exit of the All-Star forward further signaled that the Mavericks are now Cooper Flagg’s team, and he will be tasked with carrying them in the AD—After Davis—era.

The post Mavericks’ Michael Finley points to ‘winning culture’ behind Anthony Davis trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“The Charlotte Hornets are trading Tyus Jones to the Dallas Mavericks for Malaki Branham, sources tell ESPN. Mavericks have had interest in Jones this season and get him today. Hornets open up a $7 million trade exception,” Charania wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

On Wednesday, the Mavs agreed to trade Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. As part of the deal, Dallas acquired Branham. Now, he is set to join the Hornets.

The Mavs also traded three guards as part of the Wizards deal — D’Angelo Russell, Dante Exum and Jaden Hardy — so the Jones addition provides Dallas with depth at the position.

Mavericks add guard depth with Tyus Jones trade

Jones, 29, played 48 games with the Orlando Magic during the 2025-26 NBA season before getting traded to the Hornets on Wednesday. His time in Charlotte clearly did not last long, as he is now set to join the Mavs.

With Orlando, Jones averaged 3.0 points and 2.4 assists per outing. He only appeared in 15.7 minutes per game, however. Jones could certainly see improved statistics with an increase in playing time.

The Mavericks have had point guard questions all season long. With Kyrie Irving still out due to injury, the questions are not going away. Jones should be able to help the situation, though.

It appears that Jones will be the Mavericks final addition before the NBA trade deadline barring any last-second moves by the team.

The post Mavericks acquire Tyus Jones in trade with Hornets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Davis, of course, was the primary piece that the Mavericks got back in that deal, which was orchestrated by the since-fired Nico Harrison, and recently, ESPN sports media personality Stephen A. Smith hit the Mavericks with a harsh truth.

“It looks like arguably the worst trade in history,” said Smith, per First Take on X, formerly Twitter.

Many were uttering similar words in the minutes and hours after Shams Charania broke news of the trade just over one year ago, and nothing that has happened for Dallas in the months since has disproven the brazen claim.

While Luka Doncic’s tenure with the Lakers hasn’t exactly been a glowing success so far, it’s safe to say that the Mavericks did not get what they were hoping to out of Davis, who played just 29 games in his Dallas tenure, dealing with frequent injuries.

Now, the Mavericks are officially turning the page to the Flagg era, which began when they lucked into the number one overall pick in the draft last spring.

Had that not occurred, the Mavericks might be in the worst situation of any team in the NBA at the current juncture, but thankfully, Flagg is already looking like a future superstar, having recently dropped 49 points against the Charlotte Hornets, all while the Mavericks continue to lose and get closer to adding another theoretical blue chip prospect next summer.

In any case, the Mavericks will next hit the floor on Thursday night vs the San Antonio Spurs.

The post Stephen A. Smith says obvious truth about Mavericks’ Luka Doncic trade after Anthony Davis Wizards deal appeared first on ClutchPoints.

"It's very possible Cooper Flagg could end up being a better player and a better franchise leader than Luka Doncic. … [Coop] is an exciting of a young player as we've seen in this league in 25 years."

– Brian Windhorst

(via @GetUpESPN)pic.twitter.com/xTgceeoYms

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 5, 2026

Windhorst believes Flagg will be a better franchise leader and player than Doncic was. Furthermore, he praised his offense and defense, and discussed the Doncic trade and the recent Mavs’ trades. For context, the Mavericks traded Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards in a major eight-player deal that saw them net several first-round picks. While the Mavericks’ trade plans are still in fruition, Flagg will be the core piece of the team.

With Davis gone, Flagg leads the Mavs with 20.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 48.4% from the floor. Additionally, he has taken on a more leadership role on the court, while remaining the top option. It was not that long ago that Flagg went off for 49 points, and he has consistently helped the Mavs stay afloat.

As the Mavericks struggle at 19-31, Flagg remains part of the future and could evolve to become something more. Although the Mavs are only 3.5 games behind the final play-in spot, the Davis trade indicates they are retooling and pushing for more traction next season. The Mavericks are also in the middle of a four-game losing streak.

As Kyrie Irving continues to recover from a torn ACL, Flagg will remain the top option for the Mavericks. Flagg’s versatility could make the duo a dynamic pair when Irving eventually returns. For now, the standout rookie will continue to carry the Mavs on his back, while growing as a player.

The post Brian Windhorst says Cooper Flagg could become ‘better player, leader’ than Luka Doncic appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Gafford could be traded, but nothing is certain. His right ankle sprain may present an obstacle in potential trade talks. With the trade deadline set for 3 PM EST on Thursday, Gafford will know which team he’s on before Thursday night’s Mavs-Spurs clash — which is scheduled for 8:30 PM EST.

If Gafford ends up not getting traded, his injury status may not be revealed until a couple of hours before tip-off. Here’s everything we know about his injury status at the moment.

Daniel Gafford’s injury status vs. Spurs

Gafford is currently listed as questionable to play tonight against the Spurs as he continues to deal with a right ankle sprain.

The Mavericks are near the bottom of the Western Conference with a 19-31 record. Defeating the 34-16 Spurs — who are second in the West — will be a challenge for the 12th place Mavs.

As for the question of if Daniel Gafford is playing tonight, the answer is currently uncertain.

Mavericks’ injury report

The Mavs have 12 players on the injury report. Davis, Dante Exum, D’Angelo Russell and Jaden Hardy are all still on the injury report despite being included in Wednesday’s trade since the deal is not yet official.

• Moussa Cisse (G League two-way): Probable
• Miles Kelly (G League two-way): Probable
• Ryan Nembhard (G League two-way): Probable
• Daniel Gafford (right ankle sprain): Questionable
• Brandon Williams (right lower leg contusion): Questionable
• Anthony Davis (not with team): Out
• Dante Exum (not with team): Out
• D’Angelo Russell (not with team): Out
• Jaden Hardy (not with team): Out
• Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery): Out
• Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery): Out
• PJ Washington (concussion protocol): Out

The Spurs defeated the Thunder 116-106 on Wednesday. Since Thursday is the second of a back-to-back for San Antonio, the Spurs’ injury report has not been released as of this story’s writing.

The post Is Daniel Gafford playing tonight as trade rumors swirl? Mavericks vs. Spurs injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Additionally, I have not heard anything about the Mavericks having serious interest in moving on from Irving. Dallas values his leadership, and it seems as if the Mavs believe Kyrie can help Flagg’s development. So while the team is rebuilding as evidenced by the Davis trade, Irving may play a role in the rebuild as a veteran leader.

Of course, the team has other veterans on the roster. Will players such as Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford and Naji Marshall be moved ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline?

Mavericks’ plans

Daniel Gafford is dealing with a right ankle sprain at the moment. He is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs. It still seems as if Gafford is the likeliest player on the team to be moved, but the injury adds another element of the situation to monitor.

Klay Thompson has become a fan-favorite in Dallas. Although things have not gone according to plan for Thompson — who signed in Dallas to win another championship before the Mavericks traded Doncic — Klay has maintained a positive outlook and has embraced his role off the bench. A source said a Thompson trade may not happen, but the chances of it occurring are higher than an Irving trade.

The Mavs are seemingly open to moving Thompson but his trade market is uncertain.

Marshall recently told Ron Harrod Jr. of DLLS Sports that he wants to continue to play alongside Flagg. While speaking to reporters ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Boston Celtics, Mavs head coach Jason Kidd left the door open for a Marshall trade, saying “he could be traded.” However, the quote should not be taken out of context, as Kidd was explaining that basketball is a business and anything can happen. He was not necessarily suggesting that a trade will occur.

From what I’ve heard, Marshall is more likely than Irving to be traded but less likely than Gafford to be moved. The Mavs appreciate everything that Marshall has brought to the team. If they find a deal that makes sense, Dallas could move on from Marshall. With that being said, the Mavericks won’t force a trade.

Will Mavs make any other trades after Davis deal?

Gafford remains the Mavs’ most serious trade candidate, but the injury could prove to be an obstacle for a trade. Thompson and Marshall could be traded, but it also would not be surprising to see them both in Dallas after the trade deadline. As for Irving, a deal is unlikely.

However, given what occurred last year with Doncic, I’m hesitant to completely rule anything out. Nevertheless, I do not expect Kyrie Irving to be moved based on what I’ve been told.

The post What I’m hearing about Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving plans after Anthony Davis trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Wednesday, the Mavericks sent Davis to the Washington Wizards, along with D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy, and Dante Exum in exchange for Khris Middleton, Marvin Bagley III, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, and five future draft picks.

It officially erased the era of former general manager Nico Harrison, who acquired Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers at last year’s trade deadline by shockingly trading Luka Doncic.

Harrison was castigated for the head-scratching move, but he was adamant that it was the right one. Now, with Davis being shipped to the Wizards after barely suiting up for the Mavericks, Harrison’s old quote has resurfaced.

“Nico Harrison about this time last year after the Anthony Davis-Luka Doncic trade: ‘Time will tell if I’m right.’ Time has indeed told,” wrote ClutchPoints’ Joey Mistretta on X.

The 32-year-old Davis only played 29 games for Dallas, as he has been hampered by injuries anew. He is currently out for several months due to a hand injury. He averaged 20.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 blocks in his short stint with the Mavericks.

Harrison claimed that the 10-time All-Star would be the foundation of the Mavericks, adding that he traded the 26-year-old Doncic due to his poor conditioning.

Harrison was fired in November amid a growing clamor from fans. Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont, who approved the Doncic-Davis swap, apologized to fans, stressing the need to “return winning basketball to Dallas.”

The post Nico Harrison’s ‘time will tell if I’m right’ quote resurfaces after Mavericks trade Anthony Davis to Wizards trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

One person who seems to be surprised by the news is Davis’ Mavericks teammate and fellow trade candidate Naji Marshall, who took to X, formerly Twitter, with his blunt reaction to the news, which was first reported by ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.

“Wow,” wrote Marshall on the platform.

Davis played in 29 games for the Mavericks since being traded there from the Los Angeles Lakers last year, and the dominant, defensive-focused team that former general manager Nico Harrison envisioned, anchored around Davis, unfortunately, never came to fruition.

Fortunately for Mavericks fans, the team lucked into the number one overall pick this past May, which they used to select Cooper Flagg. The former Duke standout has been excellent at the NBA level so far in his rookie season, especially in recent weeks, as he recently scored 49 points in a game against the Charlotte Hornets.

Now that the Mavericks have turned the page on the Davis era, it remains to be seen if they will make any other moves before this year’s deadline. The team is also awaiting the return of Kyrie Irving, who has been out of the lineup since March of last year with a torn ACL.

While the Davis experiment may have crashed and burned, the Mavericks’ new front office regime deserves credit for seeing the writing on the wall and cutting their losses, as opposed to letting things play out longer than necessary.

In any case, the NBA trade deadline is set for Thursday afternoon at 3:00 pm ET.

The post Mavericks’ Naji Marshall posted exactly 1 word after Anthony Davis trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

But before acquiring the big man out of St. Mary’s, the Hawks and Dallas Mavericks were in talks about a possible Daniel Gafford trade. But both sides could not come to an agreement. The Mavs were reportedly looking for a first-round pick, according to Marc Stein. Atlanta countered with a second-round selection, but was not going to budge.

That led the Hawks to pivot to the 3-team deal.

In Landale, Atlanta gets a young, talented big man who has shown some improvement in his fifth NBA season. After struggling to get minutes with the San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets, the Australian center finally played meaningful minutes in Memphis this season.

He averaged 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in just over 23 minutes per game. Additionally, he showed off his range, knocking down 38% of his threes this season on 2.9 attempts per game.

The depth in the paint was much needed for the Hawks. Kristaps Porzingis has barely played all season, for one reason or another. That signing is looking worse by the day. Onyeka Okongwu has finally been given starters’ minutes, and he has shone. But beyond him, there is very little depth.

The Mavericks are clearly in rebuild mode. Earlier on Wednesday, they agreed to trade Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. Gafford certainly holds some trade value, particularly with him being under contract through the 2028-29 season. But it appears the Hawks found a much cheaper, younger, depth piece.

The post NBA rumors: Hawks balk at Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford trade price before landing Jock Landale appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The man who made the Doncic-Davis trade is no longer with the team, as former general manager Nico Harrison was fired early in the 2025-26 season. Harrison’s mistake lives on, though, as the Mavs currently hold a 19-31 record just two years after reaching the NBA Finals. Davis appeared in only 29 games with Dallas and now his time with the Mavs is over.

Max Christie was part of the trade from last year as well, and he’s played at a respectable level in 2025-26. Nevertheless, the Doncic-Davis trade is a disaster. That’s the best word for it.

It is in the past now and Dallas is looking for a fresh start. So, how did the Mavs do in their trade with the Wizards?

Grading Mavericks’ trade with Wizards

This trade grade will focus on the Mavericks. ClutchPoints also published a Wizards trade grade.

Here is a breakdown of the deal, via Shams Charania of ESPN:

Wizards receive: F Anthony Davis, G Jaden Hardy, G Dante Exum, G D’Angelo Russell

Mavericks receive: F Khris Middleton, G AJ Johnson, G Malaki Branham, F Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks and three second-round picks

The picks are obviously an important part of the deal. The first-round selections include a 2026 Thunder first-round pick and a 2030 protected Warriors first-round pick. Meanwhile, the second-round selections consist of a 2026 Suns pick, 2027 Bulls pick and 2029 Rockets pick.

Davis’ trade value is not what it once is. He is still a good player, but the 32-year-old continues to deal with no shortage of injury trouble. Still, the Mavs were able to receive multiple first-round picks which is impressive. Neither first-round selection is especially intriguing, but the Mavericks did alright considering the circumstances. Adding three second-round picks only gives the team more leverage in future trades, or they could possibly find an overlooked player in the second-round in future drafts.

Middleton is the biggest name Dallas received as part of the deal. A buyout could be an option. Middleton will be a free agent ahead of the 2026-27 season. The Mavericks likely would not re-sign him, as Middleton is 34 and probably wants to be on a contender. Meanwhile, Dallas is now years away from seriously contending.

Johnson, 21, and Branham, 22, provide Dallas with guard depth for the future and help to make up for Russell, Exum and Hardy being included in the trade.

Bagley is perhaps the standout NBA-ready player of this trade who could stay in Dallas past this season. He is set to enter free agency during the offseason, but the Mavericks may make an effort to keep him. Bagley is only 26 years old and will help to fill the void the Mavs’ frontcourt now has following the Davis trade.

Daniel Gafford is a trade candidate and could be moved as well, while Dereck Lively II is currently injured. The Bagley addition to the deal will help Dallas moving forward.

Final Mavs trade grade

Unless the Mavs somehow acquired a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Anthony Edwards, there was never going to be a way to truly make up for the shocking Doncic trade from a year ago. Given the Mavs’ circumstance, though, they did well in this deal. It is not a perfect trade, but the deal helps to reset a franchise that is now prepared to build around Cooper Flagg for years to come.

Mavericks trade grade: B+

The post Grading Mavericks’ attempt to salvage Luka Doncic trade disaster with Anthony Davis Wizards deal appeared first on ClutchPoints.

There are definitely some mixed reactions to the move, as some are confused, while others can’t believe they got more in return for Davis than Doncic.

“So you’re telling me the Dallas Mavericks got more 1sts for Anthony Davis than they did for Luka Dončić?” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

“The Mavs traded Luka Doncic and received Anthony Davis as the centerpiece. Less than a year later AD is on another team, and played in 29 games for the Mavs. Someone please do a wellness check on Mav fans. Just surreal,” another user wrote.

Some Mavs fans are taking the trade for what it is, and know that means it’s time to build around Cooper Flagg.

“Nothing will ever replace Luka. This experiment failed tremendously. I was hoping it would work out but it didn’t. Not even close. Dark times as a Mavs fan but I’m just so glad it’s over. Time to move on,” one user wrote.

“Man listen… if you’re not a mavericks fan, stay out of this trade discussion. It’s really deeper than what’s mentioned on paper. We needed the flexibility more than anything to build around Flagg. Trading AD gives us that,” another user wrote.

This all leads back to the Doncic trade and how it was not a good idea to trade a top-tier talent like him out of the blue. At this point, it looks like the Mavericks are trying to go in with a clean slate, and it makes sense after the past year that they’ve had.

The post Mavericks fans have no shortage of reactions to Anthony Davis Wizards trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Max Christie, Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley, 3 first-round picks, and 3 second-round picks. The Mavericks have decided that the first-round picks will be the priority, and the hope is that those picks can help rebuild the franchise.

That core of players is not worth a generational player. Khris Middleton is averaging 10.3 points per game, the lowest since his rookie season.

Last year, GM Nico Harrison said, “Time will tell if I am right,” after the Luka/AD trade. Well, one year later, the Mavericks are a bad team that got lucky by getting the No. 1 pick and drafting Cooper Flagg. This may have been why Harrison was fired. The Mavs turned Luka into three first-round picks that could be valuable; however, any pick after pick 20 is a long shot to become a star, historically.

The Mavs acquired one first-round pick in 2029 in the Luka/AD trade. Dallas will receive two first-round picks from the Wizards for AD Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum. The first-round picks are from the Thunder and Warriors, so the picks likely won’t be that great when it is there turn to select.

The NBA Trade Deadline is tomorrow. Keep your notifications on, as many more trades will happen.

The post Mavericks’ updated Luka Doncic trade return after Anthony Davis Wizards deal appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Washington Wizards for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2 first-round picks and 3 second-rounders, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Charania later revealed the specific picks the Mavs will receive in the Davis-led trade.

“Dallas is receiving a 2026 Thunder first-round pick and a 2030 protected Warriors first-round pick in this deal from the Wizards along with second rounders in 2026 (Phoenix), 2027 (Chicago) and 2029 (Houston), sources tell ESPN.”

The Mavs’ trade return is highlighted by Khris Middleton and the two first-round picks. Anthony Davis’ trade value is not what it once was, but Dallas still managed to get a respectable return in the deal.

Mavericks trade Anthony Davis almost exactly one year after acquiring him

Davis trade rumors have swirled for months. An injury led some to believe that a deal would not come to fruition, but sources told ClutchPoints that a trade remained a possibility. Sure enough — almost exactly one year after the Mavs acquired Davis for Luka Doncic — AD is being traded to the Wizards.

It has been a whirlwind year in the Dallas basketball world to say the least. Fans are still frustrated about the Doncic trade, but they have embraced rookie Cooper Flagg.

Anthony Davis finishes his Mavs career with a total of 29 regular season games played.

The post Mavericks trading Anthony Davis to Wizards in blockbuster deal appeared first on ClutchPoints.