Mavericks add international depth as Ujiri reshapes roster
mavericks-add-international-depth-ujiri-reshapes-roster
The Dallas Mavericks continued their offseason overhaul by bringing in five international players, capping a summer in which new president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz focused on global talent, league sources told Keith Smith of Spotrac during Las Vegas Summer League.
An opposing team’s lead international scout credited Schmitz’s worldwide network, singling out the newcomers:
- Santi Aldama, acquired from Memphis in a six-team deal after five productive seasons with the Grizzlies.
- Zaccharie Risacher, the top pick in the 2024 draft, obtained for guard Ryan Nembhard and a 2027 second-round selection.
- Sergio de Larrea, selected 25th overall last month after Dallas moved up five spots.
- Tarik Biberovic, whose draft rights came from Memphis as part of the Aldama trade.
- Vsevolod Ishchenko, taken 56th following a trade with the Lakers.
“Biberovic was the best high-volume shooter in Europe the past few years, and Aldama is going to help them right away,” the scout said. “Risacher basically came for free, and Ishchenko could turn into a real player.”
Dallas banking on Risacher rebound
Team officials believe a fresh start will benefit Risacher, whose minutes and scoring dipped last season after finishing second in the 2025 Rookie of the Year voting. “Big lineups with Dereck Lively II, Morez Johnson Jr., Cooper Flagg, Risacher and someone like Sergio could be a real thing for us,” a Mavericks assistant coach told Smith. “There’s a ton of talent there, and we didn’t give up much to get him.”
Club dismisses Kyrie Irving trade chatter
A front-office executive denied rumors that the club has explored moving guard Kyrie Irving. “We’re not looking to move Kyrie, and Kyrie isn’t looking to be moved either,” the official said, adding that Dallas is eager to see Irving play alongside rookie forward Cooper Flagg after injuries prevented the pairing last season.
Draft results praised internally
The same executive said Dallas is pleased with its overall draft haul despite having to adjust on the fly. “We feel like Morez will be an awesome frontcourt partner for Cooper and Dereck,” he said. “Getting Sergio late in the first round is huge—he can really play. And don’t sleep on Seva [Ishchenko]. It might take a year, but he’s a player too.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
