RADIO
Sergio De Larrea Pushes for Backup Role
Dallas Mavericks guard Sergio de Larrea has a real path to backup point guard minutes entering camp, though nothing has been declared. The Smoking Cuban's Noah Weber reads Dallas' lack of an established veteran point guard addition as a sign of confidence in the rookie. The 20-year-old, taken No. 25 overall in June, sits behind Kyrie Irving (knee) alongside Marcus Sasser as one of the team's main traditional lead-guard options, while Cooper Flagg is also expected to handle creation. De Larrea's Summer League line showed the split: 8.0 points on poor shooting, but 8.8 assists per game, including a 14-assist night against Oklahoma City. Dusty May could still lean on Sasser, so De Larrea is more camp watch than draft target, but the passing gives him a path if Irving misses time.
Source: Noah Weber
Source: Noah Weber
Kyrie Irving Ramps Up in Pickup Games
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (knee) has been playing offseason pickup games as he ramps up toward a 2026-27 return, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. Irving tore the ACL in his left knee in March 2025 and sat out all of 2025-26, leaving him 19 months removed from the injury when training camp begins. The 34-year-old has averaged 25.5 points and 5.1 assists in a Mavericks uniform, and his return would give Cooper Flagg a real off-ball partner after a rookie season worth 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Max Christie and the reserve guards would lose some minutes once Irving is active. The fantasy wrinkle is the deadline, with MacMahon noting contenders could pursue Irving if Masai Ujiri is willing to listen.
Source: Tim MacMahon
Source: Tim MacMahon
Daniel Gafford Remains on Trade Radar
Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford remains a trade candidate. Heavy's Sean Deveney reported, via Grant Afseth of Roundtable, that Dallas hopes to land a first-round pick for both Gafford and P.J. Washington. Gafford is owed $17.26 million this season on a three-year, $54.38 million extension that includes a 5 percent trade kicker. The 27-year-old averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 21.7 minutes across 55 games last season while shooting 65.5 percent from the field. Dereck Lively II (foot) still lacks a firm return timeline, so Gafford opens camp with a clean path to blocks, boards, and elite field-goal percentage. A trade could raise his minutes ceiling, but Dallas' crowded frontcourt with Lively, Santi Aldama, and Morez Johnson Jr. keeps some role risk attached.
Source: Grant Afseth
Source: Grant Afseth
Kyrie Irving Draws Strong Praise From Dusty May
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (knee) has impressed new head coach Dusty May during summer workouts as he works back from the torn ACL that cost him all of last season. May told 105.3 The Fan's K&C Masterpiece that he has watched Irving work out and play pickup, adding that he has been "blown away" by Irving's preparation, attention to detail, and feel. The nine-time All-Star last played in 2024-25, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in 50 games. His return should lift a Dallas offense that ranked 27th last season and take creation pressure off reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. The ceiling is still high, but managers need to account for the long layoff.
Source: Grant Afseth
Source: Grant Afseth
Naji Marshall Backed by Mavericks GM Mike Schmitz
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall received strong public backing from general manager Mike Schmitz after signing a three-year, $52.2 million extension. Schmitz used a Friday appearance on 1310 The Ticket to praise Marshall's toughness, versatility, feel and ability to play with or without the ball. The 28-year-old averaged 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 29.5 minutes last season while shooting 51.0 percent from the field, though his 29.1 percent mark from three remains the swing skill. Klay Thompson's buyout removes one veteran wing, but Dallas still has a crowded forward mix around Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Max Christie and Zaccharie Risacher. Marshall's role looks stable enough to keep him in the late-round fantasy conversation, with more upside if the jumper improves.
Source: Grant Afseth
Source: Grant Afseth
Santi Aldama Sits Out Spain Qualifiers
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Santi Aldama will sit out Spain's upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifying window as he continues working back from right knee surgery. The Spanish Basketball Federation announced that Aldama will miss training camp and the games against Portugal and Greece, with both sides deciding not to rush his recovery before his first season in Dallas. The 25-year-old averaged 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists and shot 35.0 percent from three across 43 games last season. The fantasy appeal is real if the minutes are there, but Dallas' frontcourt is crowded, with Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington absorbing forward minutes while Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II handle the middle, leaving Aldama's role as the key swing factor.
Source: Basketnews
Source: Basketnews
P.J. Washington Confident He Stays in Dallas
Dallas Mavericks forward/center P.J. Washington expects to open the season in Dallas despite spending much of the offseason in trade rumors. In an interview with DLLS Mavs' Kevin Gray Jr., Washington said he is "super confident" he will be a Maverick on Opening Night after long talks with team president Masai Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz. Marc Stein previously reported that Washington was among the veterans Dallas was viewed as open to trading, but the 27-year-old sounds committed to staying put. Washington averaged 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists last season, giving him useful category appeal if the minutes hold. A forward-heavy roster built around Cooper Flagg and recently extended Naji Marshall could still squeeze his ceiling, but Washington remains a viable late-round fantasy piece if he keeps a steady role.
Source: Kevin Gray Jr.
Source: Kevin Gray Jr.
Tarik Biberovic Eyes Real NBA Role with Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks forward Tarik Biberovic is treating his NBA arrival as a starting point, telling Anadolu Agency that he wants to earn minutes and grow into one of the team's most reliable players. The 25-year-old said he will "start from zero" after an emotional exit from Fenerbahce, where he spent eight seasons and credited Sarunas Jasikevicius for helping unlock his game. Biberovic averaged 11.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 41.9 percent from deep across 41 EuroLeague games last season. The shooting is real, but he remains off fantasy radars while fighting for minutes in a crowded Dallas wing mix featuring Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall, and Caleb Martin.
Source: Eurohoops
Source: Eurohoops
Heat Desperately Want to Sign Klay Thompson
According to Marc Stein, the Miami Heat desperately want to sign shooting guard Klay Thompson. The problem with that is Thompson is still under contract with the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs have been attempting to trade Thompson and his $17 million salary for the upcoming season. It doesn't sound like any teams are taking the bait and are waiting for the Mavs to eventually buy Thompson out of his contract. If that happens, the Heat sound like the frontrunners to sign Thompson if he becomes available in free agency. The 36-year-old is not the same player he used to be, but he can still be a solid 3-and-D player for a contending organization.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Mavericks GM Mike Schmitz Backs Dusty May for NBA Jump
Dallas Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz backed first-time NBA head coach Dusty May during a Friday appearance on 105.3 The Fan, pointing to May's climb from video work to assistant coach, college head coach and national champion as preparation for the job. May inherits a Dallas roster built around Cooper Flagg, who averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals across 70 starts while winning Rookie of the Year. The Mavericks already ranked fourth in pace last season, and May's push for a more entertaining style should keep Flagg in a strong counting-stats environment. Kyrie Irving is the key swing piece after missing all of last season with a torn left ACL, as his return would ease Flagg's creation burden but likely lower his assist ceiling.
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Cooper Flagg Draws Offseason Praise from Mavericks GM
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg has earned offseason praise from general manager Mike Schmitz, who discussed the reigning Rookie of the Year's development during a Friday appearance on 105.3 The Fan. The 19-year-old averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals as a rookie, becoming the first first-year player since Michael Jordan to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Kyrie Irving, nearing a return from his ACL tear, should ease some creation burden, but Flagg's scoring, rebounding, and defensive production keep him locked in as an early-round fantasy anchor.
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Dereck Lively II Making Progress in Foot Recovery
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II is making progress in his recovery from season-ending right foot surgery, with general manager Mike Schmitz saying Lively has been "working his tail off" and staying locked in around the facility. The 2023 No. 12 pick said in June that he was out of the boot and crutches and back in normal shoes, but later reports noted he still had not progressed to running. Lively appeared in only seven games last season, averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He remains a high-upside rim runner and shot blocker when healthy, but Daniel Gafford is the safer fantasy bet until Lively's timeline gets clearer. Morez Johnson Jr. adds another frontcourt body if the ramp-up drags.
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Source: 105.3 The Fan
Kyrie Irving's Recovery Shapes Mavericks' Outlook
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving remains the team's biggest question entering 2026-27, with ESPN's Tim MacMahon noting that Dallas needs him to return to form to become a real postseason threat. The nine-time All-Star has been sidelined since tearing his left ACL in March 2025, when he was averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across 50 games. Dallas is intrigued by Irving's fit next to Cooper Flagg, as his off-ball shooting and creation should ease the burden on the young franchise centerpiece. Until Irving is fully cleared, Max Christie has the clearest path to extra backcourt minutes, while the rest of Dallas' depth guards remain low-usage options. Irving remains a draft-and-stash target once his return timeline sharpens.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Max Christie Eyes Bigger Role with Dallas
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Max Christie was named the team's biggest X factor for 2026-27 by ESPN. Christie set career highs last season with 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 77 games while shooting 40.4 percent from three, and ESPN noted that Dallas needs him to grow into a more reliable perimeter stopper next to Kyrie Irving. The 23-year-old is also arguably the Mavericks' only traditional shooting guard on a frontcourt-heavy roster. With Irving working back from left ACL surgery and Cooper Flagg leading the next phase of the franchise, Christie's minutes, spacing, and defensive role give him some points-and-threes appeal if the starting job holds.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Klay Thompson Eyes Role on Title Contender
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson said he wants the chance to compete for a championship and play a role on a team built for a deep playoff run. The 36-year-old is coming off a career-low scoring season, averaging 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.9 threes in 21.7 minutes across 69 games while shooting 38.3 percent from deep. Dallas is now building around Cooper Flagg after his Rookie of the Year season, with Kyrie Irving still working back from left ACL surgery. Thompson has been linked to Miami and the Lakers, but his fantasy value remains limited to threes whether he stays or moves.
Source: Kevin Gray Jr.
Source: Kevin Gray Jr.
