The Dallas Mavericks' 2026-27 season schedule was released, and while it looks like the NBA did the Mavericks dirty by giving them the toughest six-game stretch to start the season, the NBA gave them a break by giving them bottom feeders to end the season.
It's about the least the NBA could've done, as the Mavs have the distinct privilege of starting the season against Houston (twice), Indiana, San Antonio, Miami and Oklahoma City. Not something fans will be excited about.
Noah Weber, the Site Expert of The Smoking Cuban, says the Mavs are in a great position at the end of the season, that is, only if they need to play catch-up during the season.
In their final 12 games of the season, the Dallas Mavericks play eight games against bottom-13 teams from last season.
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) August 13, 2026
This includes two games against the Sacramento Kings, one game against the Washington Wizards, and a game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Mavs are gifted by getting bottom-feeder opponents at the end of the season
The Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies are other teams in the lower tier of that late schedule, but the Bucks got a haul for Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks are getting Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware and Kasparas Jakučionis. Not a bad return, but they're not expected to do much.
The Grizzlies have a new-look team led by rookie Cam Boozer, Cedric Coward and Zach Edey. Karim Lopez was brought in and has been described as a steal by some. They also have no expectations in their first full year without Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Washington Wizards will be a fun game to see, solely because of the Anthony Davis factor. Davis was traded before the trade deadline this calendar year and did not play. He will be paired with Trae Young, but the No. 1 overall pick, AJ Dybantsa, will get the most attention this season. The Wizards are now trapped with Davis' long-term extension wishes, and the Mavs should be lucky they're out of that.
Going against three NBA Finals teams to start the season wasn't a good feeling, but it'll be nice to know the Mavs can play the comeback route if they need to.
The Mavs are a young, up-and-coming team with Cooper Flagg about to take off. He's going to be an MVP candidate for years to come, and his sophomore leap will be fun to watch. We're hoping for the Mavs to improve and win 40 games this season, but if they can make a playoff push, it would be so worth it to see Flagg in a playoff game.
The Mavs had a 3-8 record before the firing of Nico Harrison, and that's when everything came tumbling down. It's how you start and finish in the NBA, but if the Mavs are in playoff range, it will definitely matter.
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