Charles Barkley believes the current Los Angeles Lakers are at least as good as the 2024 Dallas Mavericks team that reached the NBA Finals. The Hall of Famer made the surprising comparison on 'The Bill Simmons Podcast,' sparking debate about the Lakers' potential after a major offseason overhaul.
What did Charles Barkley say about the Lakers and Mavericks?
Barkley, who hasn't been a regular supporter of the Lakers over the years, expressed a desire to see them succeed. 'I really want to see the Lakers do well,' said Barkley. 'First of all, I'm a big Luka fan, a big Austin Reaves fan. I think they're gonna be better than people realize.'
He then drew the direct comparison to the Mavericks' recent Finals run. 'Luka and Kyrie [Irving] took the Mavs to the Finals, come on, man. This team is probably better; this team is probably just as good as that team.' Barkley pointed to Walker Kessler as a superior big man to Dallas's Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, and Maxi Kleber. He also noted Collin Sexton provides a scoring and ball-handling threat off the bench that the 2024 Mavericks lacked.
Why does this comparison matter for Dallas Mavericks?
The comment puts a spotlight on the remarkable achievement of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving two seasons ago. Carrying a roster now deemed comparable to a post-LeBron James Lakers team to the Finals shows their individual brilliance. It also highlights how team construction around stars is constantly evaluated.
For the current Mavericks, the focus is on maintaining momentum. Their recent form shows a 2W-0D-3L record over the last five games, but they are currently on a 2-game winning run. That streak includes a dominant 149-128 victory over the Chicago Bulls on April 13, 2026. You can track their progress and upcoming challenges on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page.
What are the expectations for both teams now?
Barkley was quick to temper any championship expectations for these Lakers, however. 'They're gonna be fine, I think,' he added. 'Are they gonna win a championship? I don't think they'll win the championship.' He suggested title contention could be a two or three-year project if development goes well. The immediate goal is returning to the playoffs and being more competitive, after a second-round sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder last season.
For the Mavericks, the standard is now perennial contention. The 2024 run proved the core's capability. The challenge is building a consistent winner around Doncic and Irving, avoiding the dips in form that their recent 2W-3L stretch illustrates. Managing the roster for a deep playoff push is the ongoing task for the front office and coaching staff.
How have the Mavericks performed since that Finals appearance?
The legacy of that 2024 team continues to shape expectations in Dallas. While Barkley's comparison is a talking point, the Mavericks' own results tell the current story. After finishing the 2025-26 regular season with a 53-29 record and the West's fourth seed, they aim to build on that foundation. The high-scoring win over Chicago shows their offensive firepower remains intact.
Player development and health will be significant factors. The team's [injuries](/injuries) status and how role players perform in the system are watched closely. The comparison to the Lakers serves as a sign that in the NBA, roster evaluations are never static, and past success sets a high bar for future performance.
