Mavericks reshape roster with series of trades, draft picks and exceptions
mavericks-offseason-overhaul-2026
The Dallas Mavericks, operating under newly hired president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz, have executed a wide-ranging set of offseason moves designed to bolster a roster built around reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.
Draft activity
Dallas began by selecting Michigan big man Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 pick in last month’s draft. The front office then moved up five spots, sending the No. 30 selection and two future second-rounders to the Knicks to grab Spanish guard Sergio de Larrea at No. 25. The Mavericks added forward Tobi Lawal at No. 48 on a two-way contract and purchased the rights to Russian wing Vsevolod Ishchenko (No. 56) from the Lakers for cash considerations.
Six-team blockbuster
A subsequent six-team transaction delivered forward Santi Aldama and the rights to Turkish swingman Tarik Biberovic from the Grizzlies, along with guard Marcus Sasser from the Pistons. In return, Dallas shipped Khris Middleton and a 2033 second-round pick to the Wizards, while Memphis received AJ Johnson, Golden State’s top-20-protected 2030 first-round pick and a 2029 second-rounder originally owned by Houston.
Free-agent signings
Biberovic signed a two-year, $6 million deal that includes a team option for 2027-28, using part of the club’s non-taxpayer mid-level exception. The Mavericks deployed their bi-annual exception on Sasser and matched a two-year, minimum-salary offer sheet for center Moussa Cisse, whose contract remains non-guaranteed.
Additional trade
On Sunday, Dallas acquired 2024 No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher from the Hawks in exchange for guard Ryan Nembhard and a second-round selection that will convey to the Thunder.
Assets in and out
Departures: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Ryan Nembhard, the No. 30 pick in 2026 (Koa Peat), Golden State’s protected 2030 first-round pick, five second-round picks and cash.
Additions: Sergio de Larrea, Vsevolod Ishchenko (unsigned), Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser, Tarik Biberovic and Zaccharie Risacher.
Current roster picture
The Mavericks now list 16 players on standard contracts, 15 of them guaranteed, and are reportedly exploring trade options for center Daniel Gafford. Once healthy, All-Star guard Kyrie Irving is set to return from an ACL tear for the 2026-27 season under new head coach Dusty May. Other contracted players include Flagg, de Larrea, Biberovic, Aldama, Sasser, Cisse, Gafford, Klay Thompson, Max Christie, Caleb Martin, Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II.
Veterans Dwight Powell and Brandon Williams remain unrestricted free agents. Powell has spent 12 seasons in Dallas, while Williams averaged 13.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists across 66 games last year.
Dallas finished 26-56 a season ago and is approaching the luxury-tax threshold. The club does not control its own first-round pick until 2031 and has just one future second-rounder left, according to RealGM.
Source: Hoops Rumors
