There's nothing wrong with a gap year. Sometimes, taking a step back is important. But what exactly are the Dallas Mavericks bridging the gap between? Being a contender and not being a contender? In that case, I suppose 2025-26 could be looked at as a gap year. Just not a positive one. No, it's a gap to prepare fans for a future in which, despite a deep enough roster right now, doesn't have a particularly rosy outlook.
And this is where it's important not to let the Mavericks front office off the hook. If the plan is medium-term success and this team is simply biding its time until Kyrie Irving gets back, then fans are expected to believe that next year, a 36 year-old Klay Thompson, 33 year-old Anthony Davis, and 34 year-old Kyrie (coming off a serious knee injury) are going to lead a team to success.