As the curtain falls on yet another Dallas Mavericks season, it’s clear there’s no rest for the weary. The franchise has already shifted its focus to a few franchise-altering questions that will determine its future. Luka Doncic described this past season as “very disappointing,” and it’s easy to see why. Just when it seemed like they’d finally found their rhythm with co-star Kyrie Irving, the team’s plans changed and their play-in hopes slipped away. This leaves many wondering: what’s next for the Mavs?

First off, let’s talk about Doncic. The European superstar and Nikola Vucevic shared a few chuckles during their last game against the Chicago Bulls, but despite his incredible skill and high-scoring performances, he hasn’t managed to keep the Mavs in the playoff hunt. In fact, his last-second change of heart about playing the entire game against the Bulls marked yet another example of a bizarre and ultimately unsuccessful season.

But what’s most concerning is the increasing fear within the organization that Doncic might lose faith in the Mavs’ ability to build a contender around him. This season, he publicly and privately expressed extreme frustration and might consider requesting a trade if significant progress isn’t made. As a result, it’s imperative that the Mavs take some bold moves in the offseason to ensure they can keep their superstar in Dallas.

That being said, there’s still the issue of Kyrie Irving. Though the All-Star guard was brought on in hopes of turning the Mavs’ fortunes around, he ultimately wasn’t the game-changer many hoped he would be. The Mavericks are now faced with a tough decision – should they re-sign Irving as their top priority this summer despite the disappointing results?

As the team works on rebuilding their roster, they’ll need to strike a balance between experience and youth. The Mavericks have to make tough decisions when it comes to the draft, with their first-round pick potentially on the line. The upcoming draft could prove crucial in setting the team up for success in the future, but with so many question marks surrounding their picks, it remains to be seen if they’ll be able to make the right moves.

For now, fans are left with mixed emotions as they watch their team’s season end on a confusing note. As Doncic walks off the court to a smattering of confused applause, there’s an air of uncertainty about what the future holds for the Dallas Mavericks. It’s up to the organization to ensure they can keep their star players on board and create a contender worthy of their talents – otherwise, they may face an even more disappointing outcome.