The Dallas Mavericks are gearing up for the 2026-27 campaign tipoff.
Finishing up the preseason with a 1-3 record, the Western Conference franchise will start their season away next week against the Houston Rockets in a Texas clash.
Zaccharie Risacher will start a new chapter in his career with the Mavericks.
The former No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft had a rather unsuccessful stint with the Atlanta Hawks and was traded to the West this season after two campaigns with the Hawks.
In last night's encounter against the Hawks, Risacher redeemed himself towards the end of the game after a rough start where he had a +/- of -23 in the first 12 minutes.
The Frenchman finished the match with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in over 26 minutes.
The Mavericks hired Dusty May as their new head coach following the departure of Jason Kidd.
May claimed in the press conference after the game that he doesn't know which lineup will be used as the starting five at the season tipoff, so he can't answer the question of Risacher's role precisely.
May noted, though, that his second-half performance shows why he could have a major presence in the Mavericks rotation:
“I don’t know right now. I think if you gauge it on today’s second half, he’s gonna be a major rotation piece and play a lot," May said.
Risacher played in 70 games last season for the Hawks, averaging 9.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in fewer than 22 minutes.