According to a blockbuster report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Dallas Mavericks have traded for Zaccharie Risacher, former number one overall pick in the 2024 draft by the Atlanta Hawks. The Mavericks are trading Ryan Nembhard to the Hawks.
While the bigger news for NBA fans at large is probably the Lu Dort of it all, but Dallas taking a shot on a disappointing pick in Risacher is interesting. The Mavericks will accept Risacher into their salary cap using the trade exception created by the Anthony Davis trade to the Washington Wizards earlier this year.
According to Jake Fischer, the Mavericks are sending a 2027 pick that they received from the Chicago Bulls at some point.
Risacher joins the Mavericks after two seasons with the Atlanta Hawks where he made a marginal impact. Through 142 career games he’s averaging 11 points, just under four rebounds, and an assist per game in 24 minutes of action. His shooting splits are solid, a career 35% from three-point range, but he also doesn’t get to the line much while also shooting a subpar 69% from the charity stripe. His role decreased last season as he played fewer minutes and games, and it became clear prior to the trade deadline that Risacher’s days in Atlanta had an expiration date.
Where he fits in Dallas is anyone’s guess. The French forward WAS picked number one overall, but even at the time it didn’t entirely make sense as to why Atlanta picked him.
Considering what it took to trade for Risacher, this trade has to go down as a pretty spectacular, low-stakes gamble. The Mavericks essentially sent a second-rounder in next year’s draft away for a shot at a former number one overall pick. If he doesn’t work out, then next year you decline his team option. This is good business.
I’ve often whined about past team’s and the lack of pedigree, well the Mavericks enter the year with three number one overall players on their roster for the second straight season. That’s nothing to scoff at. With a few veterans still likely available to be traded, the Dallas offseason is likely not done yet.