Editing Dallas Mavericks (section)

===2019–2025: The Luka Dončić era===

====2019–2021: Return to playoff contention and Dončić's rise====
[[File:Luka Doncic (51177372745).jpg|right|thumb|[[Luka Dončić]] in 2021]]
On January 31, 2019, the Mavericks sent [[Dennis Smith Jr.]], DeAndre Jordan, [[Wesley Matthews]], and two future first-round draft picks to the [[New York Knicks]] in exchange for [[Kristaps Porziņģis]], [[Tim Hardaway Jr.]], [[Courtney Lee]], and [[Trey Burke]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Knicks trade Kristaps Porzingis to Mavericks |url=https://www.nba.com/news/kristaps-porzingis-dallas-mavericks-trade |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=December 15, 2019 |date=February 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305003333/https://www.nba.com/news/kristaps-porzingis-dallas-mavericks-trade |url-status=live}}</ref> At the quarter-mark of the 2019–20 season, the Mavericks began with a 15–6 record through their first 21 games. With Luka Dončić averaging a near 30-point [[Triple double|triple-double]], leading the Mavericks in points, rebounds, and assists and entering [[NBA Most Valuable Player|MVP]] contention, he led the Mavericks to the top-rated offense in the league.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://theathletic.com/1389930/2019/11/19/the-mavericks-offense-has-risen-from-average-to-elite-heres-how-theyve-done-it/ |title=The Mavericks offense has risen from average to elite. |last=Kemp |first=Jake |work=The New York Times |access-date=December 15, 2019 |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212012529/https://theathletic.com/1389930/2019/11/19/the-mavericks-offense-has-risen-from-average-to-elite-heres-how-theyve-done-it/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On December 12, 2019, the Mavericks won against the [[Detroit Pistons]] in [[Mexico City]], due to the NBA's efforts to expand internationally.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/article/2019/12/12/nba-g-league-expands-mexico-city-official-release |title=NBA G League expands to Mexico City with a landmark partnership with Capitanes |last=release |first=Official |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=December 15, 2019 |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216043307/https://www.nba.com/article/2019/12/12/nba-g-league-expands-mexico-city-official-release |url-status=live}}</ref> During that game, Luka Dončić tallied 41 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, becoming the first player in NBA history to record multiple 40-point triple-doubles before turning 21-years-old. Dončić was later selected to his first [[2020 NBA All-Star Game|NBA All-Star Game]] as a Western Conference starter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Sekou |title=Captains LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo headline starters for NBA All-Star 2020 |url=http://www.nba.com/article/2020/01/23/2020-all-star-starters-and-captains-announced |access-date=August 10, 2020 |publisher=National Basketball Association |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125122735/https://www.nba.com/article/2020/01/23/2020-all-star-starters-and-captains-announced |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the [[suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season]], the Mavericks were one of the 22 teams invited to the [[2020 NBA Bubble|NBA Bubble]] to participate in the regular season's final eight games. They resumed play on July 31, with a 153–149 loss against the [[Houston Rockets]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rockets vs. Mavericks – Game Recap – July 31, 2020 – ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401224713 |access-date=August 10, 2020 |publisher=ESPN |language=en |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811124849/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401224713 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On August 2, after the [[Memphis Grizzlies]] lost against the [[San Antonio Spurs]], the Mavericks clinched a spot in the [[2020 NBA playoffs]] no worse than the seventh seed, marking their first trip since 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 3, 2020 |title=Mavericks clinch a playoff spot, despite frosty shooting in the loss to Phoenix |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavericks-clinch/ |access-date=August 10, 2020 |website=The Official Home of the Dallas Mavericks |language=en-US |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806151503/https://www.mavs.com/mavericks-clinch/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> Dončić was announced as one of the three finalists for the NBA Most Improved Player Award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 NBA Awards: Complete list of finalists |url=http://www.nba.com/nbaawards/2020 |access-date=August 10, 2020 |publisher=National Basketball Association |language=en |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818115021/https://www.nba.com/nbaawards/2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the first round against the [[Los Angeles Clippers]], which was the first time the two teams ever faced off in the playoffs, the Mavericks lost 4–2, despite historically great performances by Dončić.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2020 |title=Luka Doncic got the Mavs back to the playoffs. Now he has 'no other goal' but to win a championship. |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2020/08/30/clippers-eliminate-mavericks-in-game-6-as-2nd-quarter-deep-freeze-dooms-dallas/ |access-date=September 9, 2020 |website=Dallas News |language=en |archive-date=August 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831091315/https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2020/08/30/clippers-eliminate-mavericks-in-game-6-as-2nd-quarter-deep-freeze-dooms-dallas/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Dončić later was selected to the [[All-NBA Team|All-NBA First Team]].

The 2020–21 season saw Dallas have players miss 41 games to COVID-19 protocols,<ref>{{cite web |title=has the Mavs season been unfair? stats show COVID-19 has impated Dallas most in the NBA. |date=March 3, 2021 |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/03/02/has-the-mavs-season-been-unfair-stats-show-covid-19-has-impacted-dallas-most-in-the-nbas-first-half/ |access-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023213231/https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/03/02/has-the-mavs-season-been-unfair-stats-show-covid-19-has-impacted-dallas-most-in-the-nbas-first-half/ |url-status=live}}</ref> with [[Maxi Kleber]], [[Jalen Brunson]], [[Josh Richardson]] and [[Dorian Finney-Smith]] missing most of those 41 games. Additionally the start of the season saw forward Kristaps Porziņģis missing the first 9 games as he recovered from off-season meniscus surgery. At one point Dallas dropped to 14th in the Western conference largely in part due to missing key pieces of their rotation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dallas Mavericks season recap |date=June 12, 2021 |url=https://primetimesportstalk.com/2021/06/12/dallas-mavericks-season-recap/ |access-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-date=October 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023213234/https://primetimesportstalk.com/2021/06/12/dallas-mavericks-season-recap/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite this, Dallas improved on their previous season record and finished the season 42–30. The Mavericks clinched the Southwest division for the first time since the [[2009–10 Dallas Mavericks season|2009–10 season]] following a 110–90 victory over the [[2020-21 Cleveland Cavaliers season|Cleveland Cavaliers]] on May 7, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mavs beat the Cavs |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavsclinchdivision/ |website=The Official Home of the Dallas Mavericks |access-date=July 6, 2021 |date=May 8, 2021 |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512152206/https://www.mavs.com/mavsclinchdivision/ |url-status=live}}</ref> However the Mavericks lost in the first round to the [[2020-21 Los Angeles Clippers season|Los Angeles Clippers]] for the second consecutive season in seven games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Clippers win Game 7, eliminate Mavericks despite Luka Doncic's 46 points |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2021-06-06/clippers-win-game-7-mavericks-luka-doncic-kawhi-leonard |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 6, 2021 |date=June 6, 2021 |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620090345/https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2021-06-06/clippers-win-game-7-mavericks-luka-doncic-kawhi-leonard |url-status=live}}</ref>

====2021–2023: The 2nd return of Jason Kidd====

Following the season on June 17, 2021, longtime head coach [[Rick Carlisle]] resigned from his position as head coach after 13 seasons.<ref name="nba.com">{{cite web |title=Rick Carlisle steps down as Mavericks coach |url=https://www.nba.com/news/rick-carlisle-wont-return-to-mavericks |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=June 18, 2021 |date=June 17, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200531/https://www.nba.com/news/rick-carlisle-wont-return-to-mavericks |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Carlisle exit">{{cite web |last1=Wojnarowski |first1=Adrian |last2=MacMahon |first2=Tim |title=Rick Carlisle says he won't return as Dallas Mavericks coach after 13 seasons |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31654042/rick-carlisle-says-return-dallas-mavericks-coach-13-seasons |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=June 17, 2021 |access-date=June 17, 2021 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624221725/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31654042/rick-carlisle-says-return-dallas-mavericks-coach-13-seasons |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2021–22 season would be the first season since [[2004–05 Dallas Mavericks season|2004–05]] without long-time general manager [[Donnie Nelson]], as he announced his departure from the team on June 17, 2021, a day prior to Rick Carlisle's mutual parting with the team. Carlisle and Nelson were part of the Mavericks' [[2010–11 Dallas Mavericks season|2010–11 championship squad]], with Nelson being part of the [[2005–06 Dallas Mavericks season|2005–06 team]] that made the [[2006 NBA Finals]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/news/mavericks-gm-donnie-nelson-mutually-agree-to-part-ways |title=Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson Mutually Agree To Part Ways |publisher=National Basketball Association |date=June 16, 2021 |access-date=June 16, 2021 |archive-date=June 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616200610/https://www.nba.com/news/mavericks-gm-donnie-nelson-mutually-agree-to-part-ways |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sefko |first=Eddie |title=NIKE EXEC Harrison Tabbed as Mavericks' New General Manager |url=https://www.mavs.com/nicoharrison/ |website=mavs.com |date=June 28, 2021 |access-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628212733/https://www.mavs.com/nicoharrison/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Jason Kidd Nets coach cropped.jpg|thumb|218x218px|Former player Jason Kidd was hired as head coach in 2021|left]]
On June 28, 2021, [[Jason Kidd]], a player on the 2010–11 championship team, was hired as head coach of the team.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sefko |first1=Eddie |title=Mavericks sign Jason Kidd as new head coach |url=https://www.mavs.com/coach-kidd/ |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=June 28, 2021 |date=June 28, 2021 |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628205921/https://www.mavs.com/coach-kidd/ |url-status=live}}</ref> This marked the third time that Kidd was involved with the organization.

Under Kidd, the Mavericks finished the [[2021–22 NBA season|2021–22 season]] with a 52–30 record, which netted them the fourth seed in the Western Conference. The Mavericks won their first playoff series since their 2011 championship season by defeating the Utah Jazz, 4–2, in the first round of the [[2022 NBA playoffs]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Luka Dončić, Mavericks beat Jazz to advance to second round |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/luka-doncic-mavericks-beat-jazz-to-advance-to-second-round |access-date=May 9, 2022 |work=Fox Sports |archive-date=May 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509023246/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/luka-doncic-mavericks-beat-jazz-to-advance-to-second-round |url-status=live}}</ref> The Mavericks won two of the games with Dončić out due to injury. The Mavericks then faced the [[Phoenix Suns]], who won a league-best 64 games in the regular season. After being down 3–2, Mavericks star Luka Dončić said, "Everybody acts tough when they're up."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rankin |first=Duane |title='Everybody acts tough when they up': Luka Doncic voices frustration after Game 5 loss to Suns |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2022/05/11/everybody-acts-tough-when-they-up-luka-doncic-upset-after-game-5-loss/9732359002/ |access-date=June 17, 2022 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308041253/https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2022/05/11/everybody-acts-tough-when-they-up-luka-doncic-upset-after-game-5-loss/9732359002/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Mavericks won the next two games to advance to their first [[NBA Western Conference finals|Western Conference finals]] since 2011. In Game 7, the Mavericks beat the Suns by 33 points, and at one point they had a 46-point lead. During the 2022 Playoffs [[Jalen Brunson]] broke out as a star alongside Spencer Dinwiddie and Dončić, averaging 23 points in the first two series.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jalen Brunson: Basic Game Log (8th Career Playoff Game to 20th Career Playoff Game) |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brunsja01/gamelog/2022#8-20-sum:pgl_basic_playoffs |access-date=May 18, 2022 |website=basketball-reference.com |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518172222/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brunsja01/gamelog/2022#8-20-sum:pgl_basic_playoffs |url-status=live}}</ref> In their first Western Conference finals appearance since 2011 the Mavericks would ultimately fall to the eventual NBA champion-[[2021-22 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]] in 5 games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Warriors beat Mavericks 120–110 to return to NBA Finals |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401438948/mavericks-warriors |access-date=June 4, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

On Draft Night in the [[2022 NBA draft]], the Mavericks traded for center [[Christian Wood]] sending the [[Houston Rockets]] a 2022 NBA draft pick (became [[Wendell Moore Jr.]]) as well as [[Boban Marjanović|Boban Marjanovic]], [[Sterling Brown (basketball)|Sterling Brown]], [[Trey Burke]],  and [[Marquese Chriss]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mavericks complete trade for Christian Wood |url=https://www.nba.com/news/rockets-mavericks-trade-christian-wood-26-pick-boban-marjanovic |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> They also drafted guard [[Jaden Hardy]] with the 37th overall pick.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2022 |title=Mavericks trade back into 2022 NBA draft, select Jaden Hardy with 37th pick |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2022/06/23/mavericks-trade-back-into-2022-nba-draft-select-jaden-hardy-with-37th-pick/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref>

The Mavericks entered the 2022– 2023 season hoping to improve upon their WCF appearance, and traded for star guard [[Kyrie Irving]] at the 2023 trade deadline in exchange for [[Dorian Finney-Smith]], [[Spencer Dinwiddie]], a 2029 unprotected first-round draft pick and second-round picks in 2027 and 2029.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nets officially trade Kyrie Irving to Mavericks |url=https://www.nba.com/news/nets-kyrie-irving-trade-dallas-mavericks |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> However, The Mavericks failed to click and failed to make the playoffs, intentionally losing the last few games by sitting their star players in order to keep the #10 overall pick instead of having it convey to the New York Knicks, who received the draft pick in the [[Kristaps Porzingis]] trade.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowe |first=Josh |date=April 7, 2023 |title=The Mavericks waive the white flag, sorta, as team sits key players against Bulls |url=https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2023/4/7/23674333/the-mavericks-waive-the-white-flag-sorta-as-team-sits-key-players-against-bulls |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=Mavs Moneyball |language=en}}</ref>

After [[Voyager Digital]], a [[cryptocurrency]] lender, filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection]] in July 2022,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Eliot |last2=Wang |first2=Yifan |date=July 6, 2022 |title=Crypto Broker Voyager Digital Files for Bankruptcy Protection |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/crypto-broker-voyager-digital-files-for-bankruptcy-protection-11657098630 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721054258/https://www.wsj.com/articles/crypto-broker-voyager-digital-files-for-bankruptcy-protection-11657098630 |archive-date=July 21, 2022 |access-date=July 10, 2022 |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=News Corp}}</ref> Mark Cuban and the Mavericks were named in a [[class-action]] lawsuit that alleged that Voyager Digital was a [[Ponzi scheme]] the following month due to Cuban's promotion of Voyager and Voyager's sponsorship with the team.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Simone |date=August 17, 2022 |title=Crypto Fail: Dallas Mavs' Mark Cuban Sued Over Alleged 'Ponzi Scheme' |url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-mavericks-owner-mark-cuban-hit-with-lawsuit-for-promotion-of-voyager-digital-cryptocurrency-brokerage-14613526 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215182733/https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-mavericks-owner-mark-cuban-hit-with-lawsuit-for-promotion-of-voyager-digital-cryptocurrency-brokerage-14613526 |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |access-date=December 15, 2022 |work=Dallas Observer |publisher=Voice Media Group}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Zeitchik |first1=Steven |last2=Mark |first2=Julian |date=December 14, 2022 |title=Tom Brady pushed crypto to his fans. This lawyer wants him to pay up. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/12/14/ftx-class-action-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214183551/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/12/14/ftx-class-action-lawsuit/ |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |access-date=December 14, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> In February 2022, the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit|U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals]] ruled in a lawsuit against [[Bitconnect]] that the [[Securities Act of 1933]] extends to [[Targeted advertising|targeted solicitation]] using [[Influencer marketing|social media]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lawler |first=Richard |date=February 18, 2022 |title=Influencers beware: promoting the wrong crypto could mean facing a class-action lawsuit |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/18/22941470/bitconnect-ponzi-bitcoin-securities-act-sec-lawsuit-influencers-youtube-tiktok |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718010038/https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/18/22941470/bitconnect-ponzi-bitcoin-securities-act-sec-lawsuit-influencers-youtube-tiktok |archive-date=July 18, 2022 |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=The Verge}}</ref>

==== 2023–2024: Return to NBA Finals ====
With the 10th overall pick in the [[2023 NBA draft]], the Mavericks selected [[Cason Wallace]] who they immediately traded along with [[Davis Bertans]] to the Thunder for the 12th pick, [[Dereck Lively II]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=FOX 4 |date=June 23, 2023 |title=Mavs trade down in NBA Draft, acquire Dereck Lively II |url=https://www.fox4news.com/sports/mavs-trade-down-in-nba-draft-acquire-dereck-lively-ii |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=FOX 4 |language=en-US}}</ref> The Mavericks also selected [[Olivier-Maxence Prosper]] with the 24th overall pick which they received through a salary dump of [[Richaun Holmes]] by the [[Sacramento Kings]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Afseth |first=Grant |date=July 6, 2023 |title=OFFICIAL: Mavs Trade for Kings' Richaun Holmes, OMax Prosper; Details |url=https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/news/dallas-mavs-sacramento-kings-trade-draft-richaun-holmes-olivier-maxence-prosper |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated Dallas Mavericks News, Analysis and More |language=en}}</ref> Before the February 8, 2024, trade deadline, the Mavericks traded for [[P. J. Washington|P.J. Washington]] and two future second–round picks from the [[Charlotte Hornets]] in exchange for [[Seth Curry]], [[Grant Williams (basketball)|Grant Williams]], and a 2027 first–round pick that is top 2 protected.<ref name="Sefko">{{cite web |last=Sefko |first=Eddie |date=February 8, 2024 |title=MAVERICKS ACQUIRE WASHINGTON, GAFFORD TO BOLSTER FRONT LINE |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavs-trades/ |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=Mavs.com}}</ref> [[Daniel Gafford]] was also received from the [[Washington Wizards]] for [[Richaun Holmes]] and draft compensation.<ref name="Sefko" />

The Mavericks finished the 2023–2024 regular season as Southwest Division champions and as the 5th seed in the West with a 50–32 record.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2024 |title=Playoffs-bound Mavericks made good on promise to bounce back in 2024 |url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/sports/nba/mavericks/dallas-mavericks-playoff-bound-season-recap/287-ffc850f5-7a75-4f33-8968-2b6c0890e724 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=wfaa.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The Mavericks would face the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] in the first round of the [[2024 NBA playoffs]] for the third time in five seasons, however this time the Mavs would avenge previous playoff defeats to the Clippers in 2020 and 2021 by winning the series 4–2.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2024 |title=National reaction to Mavericks' Game 6 knockout of Clippers: 'On to the next' |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2024/05/04/national-reactions-to-mavericks-game-6-knockout-of-clippers-on-to-the-next/ |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Duarte • • |first=Michael |date=May 4, 2024 |title=Clippers eliminated by Mavericks from NBA Playoffs with 114–101 loss in Game 6 |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/clippers-eliminated-by-mavericks-in-game-six/3404466/ |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=NBC Los Angeles |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Trigg |first=Dalton |date=May 4, 2024 |title=Luka Doncic & 'Kyrie Irving Chaos' Lead Mavs in Series-Clinching Game 6 Win vs. Clippers |url=https://athlonsports.com/nba/dallas-mavericks/dallas-basketball/news/luka-doncic-kyrie-irving-chaos-lead-dallas-mavs-series-clinching-game-6-win-la-clippers |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Athlon Sports |language=en}}</ref> They proceeded to then eliminate the one-seeded [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] in six games, winning the series-clinching Game 6 at home, 117–116.<ref name="ESPN.com2024">{{Cite web |date=May 19, 2024 |title=Mavs secure berth in WCF, get to 'keep hooping' |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40175879/dallas-mavericks-rally-eliminate-oklahoma-city-thunder |access-date=May 19, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=May 19, 2024 |title=PJ Washington's free throws send Dallas Mavericks past Thunder into West finals |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/may/18/mavericks-thunder-nba-playoff-report |access-date=May 19, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The win allowed the Mavericks to advance to the [[NBA conference finals|Western Conference Finals]] for the second time in three years.<ref name="ESPN.com2024" /> In the Western Conference Finals, the Mavericks defeated the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] in five games to win their third Western Conference title in franchise history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wolves Fall To Mavs In WCF Game Five, 124-103 |url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/wolves-fall-to-mavs-in-wcf-game-five-124-103 |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}}</ref>

The Mavericks would go on to face the [[2023-24 Boston Celtics season|Boston Celtics]] in the [[2024 NBA Finals]], their first NBA Finals appearance since their 2011 victory. In those, the Mavericks lost in five games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Boston Celtics defeat Dallas Mavericks to win 2024 NBA Finals |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/boston-celtics-beat-dallas-mavericks-2024-nba-finals/ |publisher=cbsnews.com |access-date=June 17, 2024 |date=June 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Where do Mavericks go from here after NBA Finals loss to Celtics? |url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-finals-whats-next-for-mavericks |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> Their one win came from a [[2024 NBA Finals#Game 4|122–84 blowout]], the third-largest blowout in NBA Finals history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mullin • • |first=Eric |date=June 14, 2024 |title=Put the brooms away: Mavs avoid sweep with historic Game 4 rout of Celtics in NBA Finals |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/dallas-mavericks/mavericks-blowout-celtics-nba-finals-game-4/3568568/ |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== 2024–2025: Last year of Luka ====
{{See also|Luka Dončić trade}}

On July 6, 2024, [[Klay Thompson]] was traded to Mavericks in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick via a [[Sign-and-trade deal|sign-and-trade]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Price |first1=Dwain |title=Splash brother is going to the Mavericks |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavsofficiallysignthompson/ |website=Dallas Mavericks |access-date=July 8, 2024 |date=July 6, 2024}}</ref> The Mavericks also traded Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons for [[Quentin Grimes]], while also acquiring [[Naji Marshall]], [[Melvin Ajinça]], and [[Spencer Dinwiddie]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sefko |first=Eddie |date=July 7, 2024 |title=Mavericks sign Marshall |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavs-add-naji-marshall/ |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=The Official Home of the Dallas Mavericks |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Dwain |date=June 28, 2024 |title=Ajinca is a 3-and-d player with lots of athleticism |url=https://www.mavs.com/mavstradeforajinca/ |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=The Official Home of the Dallas Mavericks |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mavericks announce return of 10-year veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie |url=https://www.nba.com/news/mavericks-announce-dinwiddie-signing |access-date=October 15, 2024 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> 

On February 1, 2025, the Mavericks sent [[Luka Dončić]], [[Markieff Morris]], and [[Maxi Kleber]] to the Los Angeles Lakers in [[Luka Dončić–Anthony Davis trade|a blockbuster trade]] for [[Anthony Davis]], [[Max Christie]], and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The Utah Jazz received [[Jalen Hood-Schifino]] and two second round picks to facilitate the trade.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-02 |title=Luka's a Laker?! Grading the superstar swap that shocked the NBA |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nba/insider/story/_/id/43659948/luka-doncic-anthony-davis-trade-grades-winners-losers-next |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-01 |title=Lakers acquire Luka Dončić from Mavericks for Anthony Davis in blockbuster, 3-team trade |url=https://www.nba.com/news/report-lakers-to-acquire-luka-doncic-from-mavericks-for-anthony-davis-others |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA world reacts to shocking trade that sends Luka Dončić to the Lakers |url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-world-reacts-luka-doncic-lakers-trade |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-02 |first=Mike |last=McDaniel |title=Mavericks, Lakers Swap Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis in Stunning Late-Night Trade |url=https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks-lakers-swap-luka-doncic-anthony-davis-in-stunning-late-night-trade |website=SI |language=en-US}}</ref> The trade was regarded as one of the most significant and unexpected in NBA history, marking the first time two reigning All-NBA players were traded for each other midseason.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jack|last=Baer|title=Lakers trade Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić in one of the most shocking deals in NBA history|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/lakers-trade-anthony-davis-for-luka-doncic-in-one-of-the-most-shocking-deals-in-nba-history-051920660.html|work=Yahoo Sports|date=February 2, 2025|access-date=February 2, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Jack|last=Maloney|title=Lakers trade Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic in shocking NBA blockbuster with Mavericks and Jazz|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lakers-trade-anthony-davis-for-luka-doncic-in-shocking-nba-blockbuster-with-mavericks-and-jazz-per-reports/|work=CBS Sports|date=February 2, 2025|access-date=February 2, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Jason|last=Abbruzzese|title='Crazy': NBA stars and pundits shocked by Luka Doncic trade|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nba/crazy-nba-stars-pundits-shocked-luka-doncic-trade-rcna190331|work=NBC News|date=February 2, 2025|access-date=February 2, 2025}}</ref> The Mavericks, who initiated the deal, drew heavy criticism for trading their [[franchise player]], while Mavericks general manager [[Nico Harrison]] defended the trade, stating, "I believe that [[defense wins championships]]."<ref>{{cite news|first=Dave|last=McMenamin|title=Luka Doncic to Lakers, Anthony Davis to Mavs in 3-team trade|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43659380/sources-mavericks-trading-doncic-lakers-anthony-davis|website=ESPN.com|date=February 2, 2025|access-date=February 2, 2025}}</ref> Dončić on the other hand was blindsided by the trade; he was not told of it until the deal was done and according to Harrison, Dončić has severed the relationship between himself and the organization.<ref>{{cite news|first=Isabel|last=Gonzalez|title= Mavericks GM didn't speak directly to Luka Doncic about stunning trade: 'Probably doesn't want to talk to me'|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/mavericks-gm-didnt-speak-directly-to-luka-doncic-about-stunning-trade-probably-doesnt-want-to-talk-to-me/|work=CBS Sports|date=February 2, 2025|access-date=February 2, 2025}}</ref> Team governor Dumont later said the trade decision had the backing of Mavericks ownership, and emphasized his support for general manager Harrison in making "tough decisions."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-09 |first=Brad |last=Townsend |title=Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont makes first public comments after Luka Doncic trade |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2025/02/09/mavericks-governor-patrick-dumont-makes-first-public-comments-after-luka-doncic-trade/ |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref>

The Mavericks ended [[2024–25 Dallas Mavericks season|their 24–25 season]] in the play in against the [[Memphis Grizzlies]]. On May 12, 2025, the Mavericks won the first overall pick in the [[2025 NBA draft]] with a less than a 2% chance of getting the pick, gaining the chance to select [[Cooper Flagg]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-12 |title=Mavericks win NBA draft lottery with 1.8% odds |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45117355/mavericks-win-nba-draft-lottery-18-odds |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2025/05/12/2025-nba-draft-lottery-live-results-odds-time/83579862007/|access-date=12 May 2025|work=[[USA Today]]|title=NBA draft lottery results: Dallas Mavericks win chance to select Cooper Flagg}}</ref>