Mavericks Go Hollywood: Dallas Builds Championship Dream Team with Star Players and Coaches from Lakers
The Dallas Mavericks are taking an unconventional but strategic approach to building a championship-caliber team — by leaning heavily on familiar faces from a historic rival. In recent months, the Mavericks have quietly assembled a roster and coaching staff filled with former Los Angeles Lakers personnel, creating a unique blend of championship experience, youthful promise, and locker room chemistry.
It all began around the trade deadline, when Dallas made a splash by acquiring All-Star big man Anthony Davis and rising guard Max Christie from the Lakers. That move, already significant, set the tone for what would become a clear trend. Shortly after, the Mavericks brought in veteran guard D’Angelo Russell and promising young wing Maxwell Lewis — two more players with purple-and-gold roots. With these additions, the Mavericks now feature four former Lakers players who bring with them playoff experience and a winning mentality.
But the Lakers-Mavericks pipeline doesn’t end with the players. On the coaching front, Dallas added former Lakers head coach Frank Vogel to Jason Kidd’s bench. Vogel, who led L.A. to the 2020 NBA title, brings championship pedigree and strong defensive acumen. Alongside him is skills development guru Phil Handy, another key figure from the Lakers’ recent success. Even head coach Jason Kidd shares Lakers history, having served as an assistant under Vogel during that title-winning run.
While the influx of former Lakers is noteworthy, Dallas is far from being a one-dimensional team. They’ve built a deep and versatile roster that includes sharpshooter Klay Thompson, defensive anchor Daniel Gafford, athletic big man Dereck Lively II, and the ever-improving PJ Washington. On top of that, the franchise is buzzing with excitement over rookie Cooper Flagg, who is already drawing comparisons to some of the league’s top young stars.
With the perfect mix of veteran leadership, young talent, and a coaching staff that knows how to win, the Mavericks are positioning themselves for a legitimate title run. The heavy Lakers influence may raise eyebrows, but if it leads to banners in Dallas, no one will be complaining.
