Stephen A. Smith declares Dallas favorite for title, but with more big ‘ifs’

Ahead of opening night, ESPN Stephen A Smith made a big Dallas Mavericks prediction for the 2025-26 campaign with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. As is the case with most teams, health is critical to one’s chances at a title. However, for Smith, the Mavericks, led by All-Stars Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, are different compared to other title contenders.

Smith says Davis and Irving have enough talent around them to lead the Mavericks to dethrone the champion The Thunder, he said, alongside Carmelo Anthony, at 7 p.m. in Brooklyn.

“If Kyrie Irving comes back healthy and Anthony Davis comes back healthy, I think Dallas should be the favorite to win,” Smith said. “Let me tell you why I feel this way: Oklahoma is the defending champion. They pretty much had their way with most teams before the NBA Finals — before it went to seven games. Not Dallas. They knocked off Oklahoma City the year before. Kyrie and those guys are kryptonite.”

Irving and the Mavericks eliminated the Thunder 4-2 on their way to the 2024 NBA Finals.

“Cooper Flagg can play. He’s just a rookie, but he can play. Then, on top of that, you have Anthony Davis,” Smith added. “Anthony Davis, who doesn’t have to play the five. I have news for you: Lively, Gafford and these brothers can play. Then you have PJ Washington, who can play. Jason Kidd can coach. I believe the Dallas Mavericks, if healthy, will win the chip.”

“If Kyrie Irving comes back healthy and Anthony Davis comes back healthy. I think Dallas should be the favorite to win.”

Do you agree with Stephen A. Smith? 🤔

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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 20, 2025

Stephen A Smith names the Mavericks, the other contenders for the title

Stephen A Smith of ESPN has the Rockets and Lakers as Western Conference title contenders, but if healthy, the Mavericks are his favorites. Ravishing reviews of Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg compounded by championship experience between Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving only strengthens Smith’s case, which includes the Mavs’ Derek Lively II, Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington.

Still, health is the biggest contributing factor for Smith, who mentioned both the Rockets and Lakers when talking about the top contenders for the Western Conference title.

“The Lakers have a chance. I’m not ruling out Houston because Ime Udoka can train his bitch and KD is KD and what they really needed was a number one option and they got in KD, who’s the truth,” Smith said. “That’s all true though, but I just believe in the Dallas Mavericks, with Kyrie Irving — not just Kyrie — all those other guys, they’ve got size at every position but Kyrie, but guess what? It doesn’t matter. Defensively, you would, but offensively, you don’t stop Kyrie.”

The Mavericks will host the Spurs in their season opener on Wednesday.