RADIO
P.J. Washington Emerges in Lakers-Mavericks Trade Framework
Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington is the centerpiece of a potential trade framework with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to Evan Sidery. In the proposed scenario, Los Angeles would acquire Washington in exchange for Bronny James, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, and a 2032 pick swap. The 27-year-old forward averaged 14.2 points per game during the 2025-26 campaign and remains a steady offensive contributor. A move to Los Angeles would likely lock him into a heavy-minutes role alongside Luka Doncic, keeping his fantasy ceiling intact. Conversely, Vanderbilt would inject necessary defensive versatility into a rebuilding Mavericks frontcourt anchored by sophomore Cooper Flagg. While James and LaRavia would need to fight for rotational minutes in Dallas, Vanderbilt's rebounding upside makes him an intriguing situational piece if the deal materializes.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Zaccharie Risacher Shipped to Dallas
Forward Zaccharie Risacher will suit up for the Dallas Mavericks next season, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The former No. 1 overall pick was traded on Sunday by the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal. Atlanta acquired guard Ryan Nembhard from Dallas and guard/forward Luguentz Dort from the Oklahoma City Thunder. While Risacher had a decent rookie campaign in 2024-25, his development stalled in his sophomore year, leading to the loss of his starting role. The situation in Dallas doesn't look particularly rosy for Risacher either. He will likely remain a reserve, competing for playing time with the likes of Naji Marshall and Santi Aldama at the forward positions.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Morez Johnson Jr. Swats Four Shots in Loss to Lakers
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Morez Johnson Jr. recorded 10 points, five rebounds, four blocks, and two steals over 28 minutes in Saturday's 91-70 Summer League loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The ninth overall pick shot 4-for-8 from the field, including 0-for-1 from three-point range, and went 1-for-2 at the free-throw line. Although his offensive output was modest, he anchored the defense with a game-high four rejections following a 27-point scoring outburst in Thursday's opener. Johnson will look to carve out a rotational role during his rookie campaign, but he faces stiff competition for frontcourt minutes from Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Morez Johnson Jr. Leads Mavericks With 27 Points
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Morez Johnson Jr. recorded 27 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks across 26 minutes in Thursday's 101-90 Summer League loss to the Golden State Warriors. The ninth pick went 12-for-17 from the field, providing excellent multi-category production in his Las Vegas debut. Johnson averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 0.7 steals at Michigan last season, demonstrating that his defensive instincts translate cleanly to the professional level. Although his outside jumper still needs development, his high motor gives him a useful lane to category value. With that in mind, he faces a crowded veteran depth chart featuring P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford. Fantasy managers should treat him as a watch-list option until consistent rotation minutes emerge under new head coach Dusty May.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Tobi Lawal Joins a Crowded Mavericks Frontcourt
The Dallas Mavericks closed their draft with an athletic upside swing, taking Virginia Tech forward Tobi Lawal with the 48th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The explosive leaper averaged 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks on 54.2 percent shooting as a senior, posting one of the best vertical marks in combine history. Lawal projects as a lob-finishing, transition-running, switchable energy forward in the Derrick Jones Jr. mold, though his shooting cratered to 25.0 percent from three and his half-court game is raw. The fantasy reality is a numbers crunch: he joins a Dallas frontcourt already deep with Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington, and fellow rookie Morez Johnson Jr. Lawal is a long-shot athletic stash, not a fantasy piece, but the tools are rare enough to bookmark.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Morez Johnson Jr. Reunites With Dusty May in Dallas
The Dallas Mavericks are selecting Michigan forward/center Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 20-year-old gives Dallas an efficient frontcourt piece after averaging 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.7 steals in 25.1 minutes across 40 appearances for Michigan. Johnson shot 62.3 percent from the field, giving him a fantasy-friendly base if his rebounding and defensive activity translate quickly. Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford are already on the Mavericks roster, so Johnson may need to earn minutes gradually, but the Dusty May connection makes his early role worth watching.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel Headline All-Rookie Team
The NBA released its 2025-2026 Kia NBA All-Rookie Team on Wednesday. A media panel of 100 voters selects five players to the First-Team and five players to the Second-Team. Unsurprisingly, this year's Rookie of the Year, Cooper Flagg from the Dallas Mavericks, was selected to the First-Team. He'll be joined by Kon Knueppel, VJ Edgecombe, Dylan Harper, and Cedric Coward. The Second-Team is headlined by Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey. He's joined by a pair of New Orleans Pelicans in Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Collin Murray-Boyles and Maxime Raynaud will round out this year's Second-Team.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Jason Kidd Fired as Mavericks Head Coach
Jason Kidd won't continue as the Dallas Mavericks' head coach, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Two weeks ago, the Mavericks hired Masai Ujiri as the new team president, and they will now be looking for a new head coach. Kidd took over the Mavericks in 2021 after two years as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers. Under his guidance, the team achieved instant success, reaching the 2022 Conference Finals. Two years later, Kidd led Dallas to the NBA Finals, where the team lost to Boston in five games. However, the Mavericks didn't make the playoffs in the other three seasons under Kidd, and he posted a losing regular-season record of 388-395. Kidd, who has also served as a head coach for the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, had four years and more than $40 million remaining on his Mavericks contract.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
