Trade & Free Agency 2026/2027

[windjc]

Exactly! Didn't give anything up other than room below the tax line (and didn't put them into the tax), and while his rookie deal is on the big side, there's plenty of time to work with him before having to worry about an extension. If he's a dud, no harm done, but if his potential wins out it's a HUGE infusion of young talent. 

I think the new guys are super smart.

 but why on earth are you expecting him to start

[DanSchwartzgan]

I really hope LeBron picks the Warriors. I think the Mavs FO have their eyes on the deal I proposed earlier for a long time. If they acquire Butler/Lendeborg for Gafford/Washington/Thompson, they´d have completed the youth movement. Have total cap flexibility going forward and if the situation presents itself to actually build a contender they could re-sign Butler and Kyrie on discount deals next summer.

Would you do the same deal if Moody was substituted for Yaxel, But we got some picks in the process?

[windjc]

1. Zero On-Ball Creation or Playmaking
The biggest red flag from his draft profile has completely manifest in the NBA: he cannot create his own shot off the dribble. Risacher functions strictly as an off-ball player. Because he lacks an elite first step or a reliable handle, he can't get past defenders, get to the rim, or collapse defenses to create for others. Through his second season, he is averaging barely over 1 assist per game, which makes it incredibly easy for opposing defenses to eliminate him from the game plan. 
2. The Archetype Limit (The "3-and-D" Trap)
Risacher was drafted as the quintessential modern wing—a 6'10" "3-and-D" player who could hit outside shots and guard multiple positions. However: 
The "3" has been inconsistent: While he shows occasional flashes, he shot just 35.5% from deep his rookie year and hovered around 36.8% his second year. For a guy whose entire offensive value relies on spotting up, that isn't efficient enough to demand gravity on the perimeter. His free-throw shooting (64.4% in Year 2) also suggests his shooting mechanics still need significant overhaul.
The "D" is lagging: While he has the length, advanced defensive metrics haven't graded him out favorably, and he often struggles with the raw athleticism of physical NBA wings. 
3. Positional Rigidness & Rotation Demotion
Because he can't handle the ball well enough to slide to the guard spots, and lacks the strength or post game to play the power forward spot, he is strictly locked into the small forward position. This lack of versatility made it easy for Hawks coach Quin Snyder to reduce his role. By early 2026, Risacher was demoted to the bench, seeing his minutes restricted or even receiving DNPs (Did Not Play) during crucial stretches, illustrating a clear lack of development.

[Mavs2021]

I´ll say this. Risacher was very unhappy with his minutes in Atlanta at the end, which might have contributed to his crap performances. So that alone would make me think the Mavs have more moves planned.

Irving/DeLarrea/Sasser
Christie/Risacher/Thompson
Flagg/Marshall/Biberovic
Washington/Johnson/Aldama
Gafford/Lively/Cisse/

Add Caleb, the mascot and they now have 16 legitimate players.

[BigDirk41]

Would you do the same deal if Moody was substituted for Yaxel, But we got some picks in the process?

I really like Jimmy Butler as a competitor and player, but personally I don't want him around Flagg. I'm a no on this trade. I also don't think they'll include Yaxel under any circumstance.

[windjc]

1. Zero On-Ball Creation or Playmaking
The biggest red flag from his draft profile has completely manifest in the NBA: he cannot create his own shot off the dribble. Risacher functions strictly as an off-ball player. Because he lacks an elite first step or a reliable handle, he can't get past defenders, get to the rim, or collapse defenses to create for others. Through his second season, he is averaging barely over 1 assist per game, which makes it incredibly easy for opposing defenses to eliminate him from the game plan. 
2. The Archetype Limit (The "3-and-D" Trap)
Risacher was drafted as the quintessential modern wing—a 6'10" "3-and-D" player who could hit outside shots and guard multiple positions. However: 
The "3" has been inconsistent: While he shows occasional flashes, he shot just 35.5% from deep his rookie year and hovered around 36.8% his second year. For a guy whose entire offensive value relies on spotting up, that isn't efficient enough to demand gravity on the perimeter. His free-throw shooting (64.4% in Year 2) also suggests his shooting mechanics still need significant overhaul.
The "D" is lagging: While he has the length, advanced defensive metrics haven't graded him out favorably, and he often struggles with the raw athleticism of physical NBA wings. 
3. Positional Rigidness & Rotation Demotion
Because he can't handle the ball well enough to slide to the guard spots, and lacks the strength or post game to play the power forward spot, he is strictly locked into the small forward position. This lack of versatility made it easy for Hawks coach Quin Snyder to reduce his role. By early 2026, Risacher was demoted to the bench, seeing his minutes restricted or even receiving DNPs (Did Not Play) during crucial stretches, illustrating a clear lack of development.

Basically on this profile he adds nothing. He is another Max but worse. Or another Biber but worse. 

He can’t create, pass or defend. 

Let’s see.

[Mavs2021]

Would you do the same deal if Moody was substituted for Yaxel, But we got some picks in the process?

Yes, but at least two unprotected 1st round picks in 2029+ to ensure the Warriors will be proper crap, considering Moody might not return all year.

[Jym]

Basically on this profile he adds nothing. He is another Max but worse. Or another Biber but worse. 

He can’t create, pass or defend. 

Let’s see.

Well yeah if he was living up to his potential, he wouldn't be available for a 2nd round pick and a 3rd string PG 
He turned 21 a few months ago. Still plenty of time to improve

[windjc]

Well yeah if he was living up to his potential, he wouldn't be available for a 2nd round pick and a 3rd string PG 
He turned 21 a few months ago. Still plenty of time to improve

Sell me. What’s his upside?

Killer thinks he starts.

[KillerLeft]

Killer thinks he starts.

That depth chart was simply how I see the "under 25" folks fitting together, which is all I think they're looking at. I don't know "who starts" (nor do I care, really) and won't have an opinion on that until we actually know who's on the team. He COULD start, it's possible, but that wasn't a prediction, just a way of looking at the player synergy. 

What's super clear is that the Mavs are rebuilding and THANK GOODNESS. They're making moves with the season after this one in mind, or the one after that. I AM HERE FOR IT!!!

[windjc]

That depth chart was simply how I see the "under 25" folks fitting together, which is all I think they're looking at. I don't know "who starts" (nor do I care, really) and won't have an opinion on that until we actually know who's on the team. He COULD start, it's possible, but that wasn't a prediction, just a way of looking at the player synergy. 

What's super clear is that the Mavs are rebuilding and THANK GOODNESS. They're making moves with the season after this one in mind, or the one after that. I AM HERE FOR IT!!!

Ok, I assumed a depth chart was a depth chart. My bad. 

The front office is doing fantastic. It’s why I expect us to exceed expectations this year.

[DanSchwartzgan]

I really like Jimmy Butler as a competitor and player, but personally I don't want him around Flagg. I'm a no on this trade. I also don't think they'll include Yaxel under any circumstance.

I agree that they are not giving up Yaxel.  I think there’s a good chance Butler would never step foot in a maverick facility if such a deal was done

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Atlanta is becoming Presti's BFF.

[F Gump]

Woo!!!

Happy because I like Cisse, but even more intrigued because this just HAS to mean more moves are coming. What an interesting summer this has been!

Yes indeed. They MUST do something for certain now. So the wondering and guessing about what they might do is  not in vain.

[Jym]

Sell me. What’s his upside?

Killer thinks he starts.

Hopefully he can turn into a solid starter if he lives up to his defensive potential 
Good lateral quickness and decent percentage from 3 on more volume than i was expecting
Will probably never be more than a 3 point shooter and transition scorer tho.

[windjc]

Atlanta is becoming Presti's BFF.

Atlanta gets a good not great player. Presti gets a trade exception and some useless 2nds. 

How is Presti a genius?

If OK waved Dort then Atlanta might not of been his preferred destination. Atlanta also finds a way of freeing themselves of Risacher in the deal. 

How exactly is Presti a genius? The Mavs got more out of this than Presti did. They got a #1 pick for the 12th man on their bench.

[windjc]

Yes indeed. They MUST do something for certain now. So the wondering and guessing about what they might do is  not in vain.

Why must they do anything now? 

They might be perfectly happy with their roster as is.

[BigDirk41]

Atlanta gets a good not great player. Presti gets a trade exception and some useless 2nds. 

How is Presti a genius?

If OK waved Dort then Atlanta might not of been his preferred destination. Atlanta also finds a way of freeing themselves of Risacher in the deal. 

How exactly is Presti a genius? The Mavs got more out of this than Presti did. They got a #1 pick for the 12th man on their bench.

Because a lot of people assumed Presti would have to spend assets this summer to unload some of their players due to their cap implications. He gained assets instead of losing them. That's why it was "genius."

[KillerLeft]

Atlanta gets a good not great player. Presti gets a trade exception and some useless 2nds. 

How is Presti a genius?

If OK waved Dort then Atlanta might not of been his preferred destination. Atlanta also finds a way of freeing themselves of Risacher in the deal. 

How exactly is Presti a genius? The Mavs got more out of this than Presti did. They got a #1 pick for the 12th man on their bench.

They could have just not picked up his option and let him walk for nothing. 

Knowing they weren't going to have him back, for financial reasons and because he's obviously in decline and didn't perform well for them in the playoffs, they picked up his option and flipped him for some small, wheel-greasing draft capital (more valuable than you think, especially when you have a lot of it), and got a sizable TPE out of it, too. Maybe they use it, maybe they don't, but now they have the option to use it. 

This is effective "working on the margins" defined, basically.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Atlanta gets a good not great player. Presti gets a trade exception and some useless 2nds. 

How is Presti a genius?

If OK waved Dort then Atlanta might not of been his preferred destination. Atlanta also finds a way of freeing themselves of Risacher in the deal. 

How exactly is Presti a genius? The Mavs got more out of this than Presti did. They got a #1 pick for the 12th man on their bench.

Who said he's a genius?  I didn't.. Sounds like PDS to me... Mavs got a former #1 pick that may or may not pan out. Atlanta didn't hesitate to get rid of him.