RADIO
Santi Aldama Doubtful For Wednesday's Matchup With Rockets
According to Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com, Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May said forward Santi Aldama (knee) was limited in practice and is unlikely to play in the team's regular-season opener against Houston. However, May noted that Aldama is "getting very close" to returning. The 25-year-old missed all four preseason games while recovering from an arthroscopic right knee procedure on March 17 and an orthobiologic injection. Aldama averaged 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 three-pointers last season. Given his extended absence, he could face a minutes restriction when he returns to action.
Source: Grant Afseth
Source: Grant Afseth
Santi Aldama Remains Without Return Timetable
Dallas Mavericks forward Santi Aldama (knee) remains without a return timetable, with head coach Dusty May telling Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News that he still doesn't know whether Aldama will play Wednesday against Houston. The 25-year-old missed all four preseason games while recovering from a March 17 arthroscopic procedure and orthobiologic injection, though May said he practiced well Sunday. Aldama averaged 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 threes last season. Even if cleared for the opener, his lengthy layoff makes an immediate full workload uncertain.
Source: Mike Curtis
Source: Mike Curtis
Cooper Flagg Dishes Seven Assists in Win Over Rockets
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Cooper Flagg recorded 14 points, four rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block in 25 minutes during Sunday's 132-115 preseason win over the Houston Rockets in Macao. He struggled from the field at 3-for-10 and 1-for-4 from three but went 7-for-8 at the line. Flagg totaled 10 assists across the two China Games, offering an early look at an expanded playmaking role. The reigning Rookie of the Year averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last season. Improving on his 29.5 percent shooting from three would add another layer to an already well-rounded fantasy profile.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Kyrie Irving Shakes Off Rust with 17 Points in Preseason Debut
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (knee) scored 17 points in Sunday's 132-115 preseason win over the Houston Rockets in Macao, adding two rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes. Irving shot 6-for-13 from the field, 2-for-6 from three and 3-for-3 at the line in his first game since tearing his left ACL in March 2025. A Grade 2 calf strain in December delayed his recovery by another eight weeks. Irving averaged 24.7 points and 4.6 assists before the injury, and his biggest fantasy question now is how much offensive volume he shares with Cooper Flagg.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Max Christie Logs Solid Outing in Preseason Loss Friday
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Max Christie grabbed 14 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal across 24 minutes in Friday's 135-117 preseason loss to the Houston Rockets. The 23-year-old will likely be the team's primary ball-handler at times, as Kyrie Irving and Marcus Sasser also serve in the Mavs' backcourt. Christie's playmaking ability and three-point shooting could make him a strong streaming candidate throughout the 2026-27 campaign.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Morez Johnson Jr. Limited by Lower-Leg Soreness in Camp
Dallas Mavericks forward Morez Johnson Jr. (lower leg) is being eased through training camp because of soreness, according to Ron Harrod Jr. of DLLS Sports. Head coach Dusty May said Dallas is managing the rookie's workload and that Johnson participated in every other live session during Wednesday's practice. The No. 9 pick averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks on 62.3 percent shooting for Michigan last season before posting 18.5 points, 2.5 steals, and 3.0 blocks across two Summer League games. With Santi Aldama (knee) and Dereck Lively II (foot) also limited, Johnson has an opportunity to push for rotation minutes once he is fully participating.
Source: Ron Harrod Jr.
Source: Ron Harrod Jr.
Morez Johnson Jr. Limited Early in Mavericks Camp
Dallas Mavericks forward Morez Johnson Jr. (undisclosed) has been limited early in training camp but is getting closer to full participation, according to Grant Afseth of the Dallas Sports Journal. Head coach Dusty May said the rookie is "working his way back" and is "close" without revealing what has been limiting him. The No. 9 overall pick averaged 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 3.0 blocks across two Summer League games before an illness sidelined him for the final three. Dereck Lively II (foot) and Santi Aldama (knee) have also been limited in camp. May expects Johnson to work his way into the rotation, but his role in a crowded Dallas frontcourt is still taking shape.
Source: Grant Afseth
Source: Grant Afseth
Max Christie Gets More On-Ball Work in Mavericks Camp
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Max Christie has spent portions of training camp working as a primary creator under new head coach Dusty May. Christie said the coaching staff is trying to build his confidence in that role, while May noted that the 23-year-old "can be a primary handler at times." Christie averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 77 games last season while shooting 40.4 percent from three and making a career-high 68 starts. With Kyrie Irving back and Marcus Sasser also in the guard rotation, Christie probably won't handle the ball full-time. Still, even a small jump in assists would give his fantasy game another dimension beyond three-point shooting.
Source: Ron Harrod Jr.
Source: Ron Harrod Jr.
Daniel Gafford Adds Three-Point Shot in Camp
Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford has the freedom to take rhythm threes this season, according to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. Head coach Dusty May said that freedom will continue "as long as he continues to earn the right," noting that Gafford went 1-for-1 from deep during live play Sunday. The 27-year-old has taken just one three-pointer in his NBA career, so any success from deep would be a bonus rather than something to count on. Gafford averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 21.7 minutes last season, and those are still the areas that matter most for fantasy. With Dereck Lively II (foot) working his way back and Morez Johnson Jr. also in the frontcourt mix, Gafford's playing time remains the bigger question mark.
Source: Mike Curtis
Source: Mike Curtis
Santi Aldama Limited by Nagging Injury at Mavericks Camp
Dallas Mavericks forward Santi Aldama (undisclosed) was limited during Saturday's practice while dealing with a "nagging injury," according to Noah Weber. Head coach Dusty May said he didn't know the specifics, though Aldama was seen with tape on his knee. The 25-year-old underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee in March after averaging 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 combined steals and blocks across 43 games with Memphis. Dallas has not linked the current issue to that knee, so there is no reason for major concern yet. Still, his status is worth monitoring with Dereck Lively II (foot) also working his way back.
Source: Noah Weber
Source: Noah Weber
Seth Lundy Lands Training Camp Deal with Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks have agreed to a training camp deal with forward Seth Lundy, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The 26-year-old is getting another NBA opportunity after missing the previous two seasons because of injuries, including a lengthy recovery from left ankle surgery. Lundy looked healthy with Toronto in Summer League, averaging 20.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 steals across four games while shooting 52 percent from the field and 44 percent from three. Dallas already has Max Christie, Naji Marshall, and Caleb Martin among its wing options, leaving Lundy with a difficult path to regular minutes. He remains off the fantasy radar unless he earns a roster spot and a larger role.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Kyrie Irving Enters Mavericks Camp Without Restrictions
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (kmee) said Friday that he has no restrictions entering training camp, according to Grant Afseth of Dallas Sports Journal. The 34-year-old acknowledged a few setbacks during his recovery from the torn ACL in his left knee, while president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said Irving had a "great, great summer." Irving hasn't played since March 2025, when he finished the season averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across 50 games. His return should ease some of Cooper Flagg's ball-handling burden, though Irving acknowledged that back-to-backs will be discussed with the medical staff. His upside remains strong, but the lengthy layoff adds some fantasy risk.
Source: Grant Afseth
Source: Grant Afseth
Dwight Powell Returns to Mavericks on One-Year Deal
The Dallas Mavericks signed center Dwight Powell to a one-year, $3.88 million deal, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The contract includes $1 million guaranteed and another $500,000 if he makes the opening-night roster. Dallas now has 16 players on standard contracts competing for 15 spots, leaving Powell with work to do in camp. The 35-year-old averaged 3.3 points and 4.1 rebounds on 64.4 percent shooting across 63 games last season. Even with Dereck Lively II (foot) sidelined, Daniel Gafford, Morez Johnson Jr., Santi Aldama, and Moussa Cisse leave Dallas with plenty of frontcourt depth. Powell remains off the fantasy radar.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Dereck Lively II Not Cleared for Mavericks Training Camp
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (foot) has not been cleared for training camp as he continues to recover from December surgery, according to Tim MacMahon. The 22-year-old has not suffered a setback and is slowly ramping up toward basketball activity, but his status for the start of the season remains uncertain. Lively played only seven games last season, averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in 16.4 minutes. He has appeared in just 98 games across his first three seasons. With Santi Aldama, Daniel Gafford, and Moussa Cisse also in the center mix, Lively may have to work his way back into a sizable role. His shot-blocking upside remains appealing, but the health concerns make him more of a late-round stash.
Source: Tim MacMahon
Source: Tim MacMahon
Dwight Powell Expected to Join Mavericks Camp
Free-agent center Dwight Powell is expected to receive a formal training camp invitation from the Dallas Mavericks, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. The 35-year-old joined the Kyrie Irving-led minicamp in Los Angeles this week after averaging 3.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 14.3 minutes across 63 games last season. Dallas already has 15 players on standard contracts, leaving Powell without a clear path to the opening-night roster. The Mavericks also have Daniel Gafford, Santi Aldama (knee), Moussa Cisse, and rookie Morez Johnson Jr. in the frontcourt, while Dereck Lively II (foot) works back from surgery. Powell carries little fantasy appeal, while Lively's recovery is the bigger situation to watch in camp.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
