Mavericks Expect Championship Run with Healthy Kyrie Irving, Says Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson's first season with the Dallas Mavericks was disrupted by the midseason trade of Luka Doncic and key injuries, including Kyrie Irving's ACL tear, resulting in the team missing the playoffs. Despite these setbacks, Thompson remains optimistic about the Mavericks' future, emphasizing the importance of health and team cohesion, and believes they can contend for a championship once Irving returns. The Mavericks, who won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery and selected Cooper Flagg, are building a promising roster including Anthony Davis and other young talents. Irving is progressing through rehab but has not set a return date, with the team and coaches managing expectations cautiously. Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen highlighted the value of team stability and support from management in building championship contenders, reflecting a league-wide shift away from superteams toward long-term core development. Overall, the Mavericks aim to leverage their experienced core and new talent to compete strongly in the highly competitive Western Conference.