The Dallas Mavericks face a bleak future as they sit at the 10th seed, struggling without Kyrie Irving, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear. This loss is compounded by Anthony Davis's potential shutdown for surgery, leaving the Mavericks to contemplate a tanking strategy. With five losses in six games, the franchise's management, particularly Nico Harrison, faces scrutiny over their handling of the Kyrie trade and the future of the team.

Dallas's ownership appears disassociated from the franchise's current turmoil, with Mark Cuban reportedly stating he wishes they had received more for the trade. The situation echoes past failures in sports trades, potentially cursing the franchise for years to come. Fans are left wondering how the management will remedy this disarray as they transition into a rebuilding phase.