Jefferson Sees Mavericks as Potential Play-In Threat

Richard Jefferson thinks the Dallas Mavericks could exceed expectations in the Western Conference this season. He notes that the conference is weaker than in past years, and with Kyrie Irving returning from injury, Dallas has enough talent to win a play-in game. Jefferson stops short of predicting a top-six finish but believes the team could make noise if healthy.

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The Mavericks enter the season with sportsbooks projecting just 32 to 35 wins, a figure that reflects lingering doubts about roster depth and Irving's health. Jefferson's optimism hinges on a Western Conference that has lost some of its top-end firepower, with Oklahoma City and Denver both shedding depth due to tax constraints, while the middle tier—including Dallas, Utah, Portland, and Golden State—remains wide open.

Jefferson's play-in scenario would place Dallas around the eighth seed, needing one win to claim the seventh spot. The roster still carries question marks: Marcus Sasser has yet to prove consistent contribution, rookie Sergio De Larrea faces a steep adjustment, and Caleb Martin stands as the only reliable defender against opposing guards. Cooper Flagg's