The Dallas Mavericks are gearing up for the 2024-25 NBA season with high hopes after a busy offseason. Following their NBA Finals appearance, the Mavericks have added firepower to their roster, hoping to capitalize on the star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Among the many voices offering their thoughts on the team’s title chances is Dallas Cowboys’ own Micah Parsons, who expressed his belief that the Mavericks are on the verge of something special. Parsons, a standout NFL linebacker, made headlines when he declared the Mavericks as serious contenders for the NBA championship. However, ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins isn’t buying the hype and cast significant doubt on Dallas’ ability to hoist the trophy next year.
“It’s gonna be a very interesting team. I think they can actually do it man. Luka [Doncic] is special, Kyrie [Irving] is special.”
Micah Parsons on the Mavs’ title hopes heading into the season 🗣️
(via @JoeyMistretta_) pic.twitter.com/5T4HNuCA07
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 17, 2024
During a recent interview, Parsons did not hold back his excitement about the Mavericks’ prospects, highlighting the talent of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as the key reasons for optimism. “I think they’re already close,” Parsons stated. “They got a great group of guys. They added a couple pieces this offseason. It’s going to be a very interesting team, and I think they can actually do it.”
Parsons’ confidence is rooted in the belief that Doncic, one of the most dynamic players in the league, combined with Irving’s offensive brilliance, gives the Mavericks a potent core capable of going the distance. Parsons likened the Mavericks’ situation to that of his own team, the Cowboys, emphasizing the idea of peaking at the right time. “Same with us, we’ve just got to go out there and make our run,” Micah Parsons added, drawing parallels between the NFL and NBA seasons.
Dallas’ offseason moves certainly support Micah Parsons’ optimism. By acquiring veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson in a trade, the Mavericks added a proven champion to complement their superstar duo. Thompson’s championship pedigree and long-range shooting could provide the missing ingredient Dallas needs to get over the hump. In addition to Thompson, the Mavericks bolstered their depth by trading for Quentin Grimes and signing former Maverick Spencer Dinwiddie, adding valuable experience and versatility to the backcourt.
The Mavericks are now listed as having the sixth-best title odds in the NBA at +1000, and the fourth-best odds in the Western Conference. Still, the question remains: Is this roster truly championship-ready, or are the cracks already showing?
While Micah Parsons is enthusiastic about Dallas’ chances, not everyone in the basketball world shares his confidence. ESPN analyst and former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins took a much more cautious approach when discussing the Mavericks’ outlook for the 2024-25 season. On a recent episode of NBA Today, Perkins expressed skepticism about whether Dallas’ offseason moves will translate into success on the court.
Kendrick Perkins thinks the Dallas Mavericks are at the most risk to collapse at some point this upcoming season…
Crazy take 🙄
(via @ESPNNBA)
pic.twitter.com/AIUbD7tbqH— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) September 17, 2024
“I’m going to go with Dallas [as the most at-risk team for a collapse],” Perkins said. “Is Klay Thompson really going to turn back the hands of time? Is he going to be that guy that’s going to consistently knock down shots?” Perkins’ remarks echo the sentiment of many who are concerned that Thompson, now entering his 14th season, may be past his prime and could struggle to perform at the level the Mavericks need.
Perkins didn’t stop there. He also voiced concerns about the durability of Luka Doncic, despite his undeniable talent. “Luka, we saw last season when he got to the NBA Finals, some could argue he somewhat ran out of gas,” Perkins remarked. Doncic, though a statistical marvel, has faced criticism in the past for carrying too heavy of a load and showing signs of fatigue in crucial moments. Perkins argued that while Doncic will continue to post impressive numbers, the Mavericks’ supporting cast may not be intimidating enough for other teams to fear them in a deep playoff run.
Perkins’ doubts don’t end with Doncic and Thompson. He questioned whether Kyrie Irving, known for his unpredictable nature both on and off the court, can be relied upon for an entire season. With Irving’s well-documented controversies and injury history, there’s a lingering concern that the Mavericks’ success could hinge too much on the unpredictable.
The conversation surrounding the Mavericks’ title odds heading into the 2024-25 season highlights the divide between optimists like Parsons and skeptics like Perkins. On paper, the Mavericks’ offseason additions appear to address some of their most glaring weaknesses from the previous season. Klay Thompson’s ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting and championship experience adds a crucial dimension to their offense, while Quentin Grimes and Spencer Dinwiddie provide depth to a team that relied heavily on its star players last season.
However, the uncertainty surrounding Thompson’s age, Irving’s reliability, and Doncic’s ability to shoulder the burden throughout an entire season are legitimate concerns. The Mavericks have certainly improved their roster, but whether those improvements are enough to truly compete with teams like the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors remains to be seen.
Micah Parsons may believe that the Mavericks are poised for greatness, but as Kendrick Perkins points out, the NBA is a league where things can change quickly. The Mavericks will have to prove that their offseason moves weren’t just for show and that they have the resilience and depth to make another deep playoff run.
As the 2024-25 season approaches, the Mavericks will be one of the most fascinating teams to watch. Will they live up to Parsons’ bold predictions, or will Perkins’ warnings of a potential collapse come to fruition? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain—Dallas’ season will be filled with plenty of drama.
Comments