MAVS NEWS:

[SleepingHero]

I remember folks saying stuff like this last summer, that we will replace an elite creator (Luka) with fantastic ball movement.  They ended up being the worst passing team in the NBA.  Its hard to imagine May wont be better at this than Kidd, but generally talent is a much bigger driver of what happens on the court than scheme in the NBA.  Kyrie is going to help, but I don't know that this team has the personnel to have fantastic ball movement.  I guess we will see.

That's a fair point.

I think both can be true. The system has to lend itself to a pass first mindset, and Pop executed that better than probably any coach in NBA history. And we saw it didn't really matter who Pop plugged and played, players were able to be their best selves. I mean hell Matt Bonner, Diaw, and and Patty Mills looked unstoppable on the Spurs and passed well, but were largely forgettable everywhere else. 

But yes, the players need to be good. Parker and Ginobili were annoyingly good, and that's why the Spurs were so inevitable. 

I'm curious to see how May coaches up the guys. But a system closer to Pop's Spurs fits this roster very well, and echoes the versatility mantra everyone has been chanting since April.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Mini-plans for the 2026-27 season are not yet available to the general public, according to the Dallas Mavericks website. The site still encourages us all to sign up to become a “Mavs Insider” to find out when the ticket packs go on sale. But one frustrated fan took to Reddit on Thursday to decry the practice of including a preseason date in with nine regular-season games and calling it a “10-game ticket pack,” like no one would notice the difference. “What makes this interesting is the Mavericks’ current Club Maverick Terms and Conditions specifically define
‘Game Ticket’ as a ticket to a regular-season game. So we purchase a 10-game plan, and one of the 10 tickets they assigned me is preseason; it seems pretty reasonable to ask why I’m not receiving 10 regular-season ‘Game Tickets’ as their own terms define them, “ the fan said.

mavsmoneyball.com

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Marc Stein: The belief in Dallas, I'm told, is that Santi Aldama will be ready for training camp when practices start (Sept. 23-ish). Aldama had mid-March knee surgery. The Mavs and Rockets are able to hold practices before the league-wide Sept. 29 start because they play preseason games abroad.

Twitter

[Scott41theMavs]

I mean its definitely a crunch.  Naji will have to get minutes from somewhere else, but not sure where.  PJ and Aldama will both be playing less minutes than they usually do splitting the PF spot, and that's before you bring Morez into the mix.  That means Naji will have to eat into the Max/Risacher minutes.  The roster is definitely light on creation and its light on shooting too, with a forward rotation that will likely shoot in the low to mid 30s.  The only plus shooters in the top 8-10 rotation are Kyrie and Max.

I know this post was from way earlier in the discussion, but I think it's funny that they spent the offseason getting player after player after player who was "known for shooting" - and still don't have enough shooting. When you look at the "whys" it's because they kept the players who couldn't shoot and expect them to continue to play big minutes, and most of the new shooters actually aren't that great. You hit the nail on the head - Kyrie and Max can shoot. Cooper, Larry, Naji, Risacher, PJ, Morez, and Aldama aren't that great. Thing is, 1) I think Cooper will shoot better this year (i.e. last year was an anomaly because he had to work way too hard on both sides of the floor, plus I bet he worked on it a lot this offseason), 2) I think Morez will shoot better than people expect, and 3) I have great hopium that Larry, Naji, PJ, Risacher, and Aldama will have better shooting years. Guess we'll see. And I wouldn''t be surprised if Sasser, who is a good shooter, cracks the top 8, given the apparent "lack of guards" and his status as entering camp as our best POA defender. And Tarik will probably be top 10.

[Scott41theMavs]

Marc Stein: The belief in Dallas, I'm told, is that Santi Aldama will be ready for training camp when practices start (Sept. 23-ish). Aldama had mid-March knee surgery. The Mavs and Rockets are able to hold practices before the league-wide Sept. 29 start because they play preseason games abroad.

Twitter

What kind of knee surgery?

[Winter]

What kind of knee surgery?

"Today’s announcement from Baloncesto España cited Aldama’s ongoing recovery from knee surgery as a primary reason for his absence. Back in March, when he was still a member of the Grizzlies, the 25-year-old underwent an arthroscopic procedure and received an orthobiologic injection to address discomfort in the trochlear compartment of his right knee.

That procedure didn’t dissuade the Mavericks from giving up three draft picks – two second-rounders and a heavily protected first-rounder – in an offseason trade that sent Aldama and EuroLeague standout Tarik Biberovic from Memphis to Dallas. And it sounds like Aldama’s new team remains confident that his regular season availability won’t be compromised by his recovery from the surgery.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter link), the belief in Dallas is that Aldama will be ready to go when training camp tips off next month. Dallas’ camp will open about a week early because the team is traveling to China for a pair of preseason games."

[OldMavsFan]

What kind of knee surgery?

Surgery and Recovery Details

• Procedure: Right knee arthroscopy and orthobiologic injection.
  
• Issue: Trochlear compartment discomfort in the right knee.
  
• Previous Team: Memphis Grizzlies announced the procedure on March 17, 2026.
  
• Recent Status: Ruled out for Spain's August 2026 World Cup qualifiers to focus on final recovery. [1, 2, 3, 4]
  

Outlook with Dallas

• Current Status: Expected on the floor for training camp practices starting around September 23, 2026.
  
• Trade Context: Acquired by Dallas from Memphis in July 2026.
  

[michaeltex]

I know this post was from way earlier in the discussion, but I think it's funny that they spent the offseason getting player after player after player who was "known for shooting" - and still don't have enough shooting. When you look at the "whys" it's because they kept the players who couldn't shoot and expect them to continue to play big minutes, and most of the new shooters actually aren't that great. You hit the nail on the head - Kyrie and Max can shoot. Cooper, Larry, Naji, Risacher, PJ, Morez, and Aldama aren't that great. Thing is, 1) I think Cooper will shoot better this year (i.e. last year was an anomaly because he had to work way too hard on both sides of the floor, plus I bet he worked on it a lot this offseason), 2) I think Morez will shoot better than people expect, and 3) I have great hopium that Larry, Naji, PJ, Risacher, and Aldama will have better shooting years. Guess we'll see. And I wouldn''t be surprised if Sasser, who is a good shooter, cracks the top 8, given the apparent "lack of guards" and his status as entering camp as our best POA defender. And Tarik will probably be top 10.

I saw (somewhere, I don't remember the source, been travelling) interviews with both PJ and Coop about what their summer focus is on and both said outside shooting, especially 3pters. So they are aware of needed improvements and working on shoring up that part of their game.

IMO, Morez is a big, new, shiny question mark. Tons of potential wrapped up in the fan's hopes, but it remains to be seen what his fit with the current team looks like.

I like the size Aldama brings, plus it got AJ out of here. He's going to need some time to acclimate back in to competitive play and get a feel for new team mates and a new coach. 

May seemed to know how to utilize size successfully with Michigan last season. Interested to see what he does with this bunch.

[DanSchwartzgan]

In my mind, the most important player to the future of this franchise outside of Flagg is Larry.  If he can become a high level NBA point guard it will make such a huge impact.  I have probably irrational hope for this.

I liked this the other day when you said it and wanted to circle back.  I tend to agree.  We probably have to define terms, but I would say the idealized version of Larry would be incredible.  Part of it is how devoid the Mav’s are of an alternative at this point.  Part of it is the flashes you see in his tape (Europe and summer).  I honestly don’t see the difference between Larry and Wagler to explain the 20 spot difference in where they were drafted.  Wagler’s 3 point shot is definitely more assured, but I’d argue Larry’s vision and passing are special.  It isn’t that I think Wagler drops downs to Larry’s level, it is that I can see a version of Larry that is every bit as good as the best projections for Wagler.  If that comes close to happening - watch out.

Are there other contenders for most important - assuming idealized versions?  I put Larry over Lively.  I think we know what Lively is, and it is formidable.  He just has to play and if he does he’s VERY important to the franchise.  I didn’t pick Risacher.  It would be nice if he could just be a younger version of Cam Johnson.  But, if that is his idealized outcome, it isn’t as high as what I’m hoping for from Larry.

The other candidate is Morez.  People who see him as a C cite Bam and Horford as comps.  That would certainly be good for our future, but it doesn’t touch the scarcity Larry might fill.  If I knew Lively wasn’t a factor I might feel differently.  To me, the idealized version of Morez is a starter next to Lively, not a 3rd big playing in place of Lively or Flagg when they rest.  Bam with a 3?  Jaren Jackson?  I saw him take guys off the dribble in summer league and maybe I put too much into his 3 point shot developing, but I don’t think Evan Mobley is out of reach for Morez.  Again, Idealized, but maybe not as valuable as the best version of Larry on a team with Flagg and a hopefully healthy (some day) Lively.

[mvossman]

I liked this the other day when you said it and wanted to circle back.  I tend to agree.  We probably have to define terms, but I would say the idealized version of Larry would be incredible.  Part of it is how devoid the Mav’s are of an alternative at this point.  Part of it is the flashes you see in his tape (Europe and summer).  I honestly don’t see the difference between Larry and Wagler to explain the 20 spot difference in where they were drafted.  Wagler’s 3 point shot is definitely more assured, but I’d argue Larry’s vision and passing are special.  It isn’t that I think Wagler drops downs to Larry’s level, it is that I can see a version of Larry that is every bit as good as the best projections for Wagler.  If that comes close to happening - watch out.

Are there other contenders for most important - assuming idealized versions?  I put Larry over Lively.  I think we know what Lively is, and it is formidable.  He just has to play and if he does he’s VERY important to the franchise.  I didn’t pick Risacher.  It would be nice if he could just be a younger version of Cam Johnson.  But, if that is his idealized outcome, it isn’t as high as what I’m hoping for from Larry.

The other candidate is Morez.  People who see him as a C cite Bam and Horford as comps.  That would certainly be good for our future, but it doesn’t touch the scarcity Larry might fill.  If I knew Lively wasn’t a factor I might feel differently.  To me, the idealized version of Morez is a starter next to Lively, not a 3rd big playing in place of Lively or Flagg when they rest.  Bam with a 3?  Jaren Jackson?  I saw him take guys off the dribble in summer league and maybe I put too much into his 3 point shot developing, but I don’t think Evan Mobley is out of reach for Morez.  Again, Idealized, but maybe not as valuable as the best version of Larry on a team with Flagg and a hopefully healthy (some day) Lively.

I agree that Morez is the next most important guy.  I have mentioned on here before that every NBA champion in recent history has a key starter who can play center but also has some forward skills.  Morez needs to be able to start at center when Lively is not playing and start next to Lively when he is.  Most of your suggested comps would fall under that category.

[F Gump]

I liked this the other day when you said it and wanted to circle back.  I tend to agree.  We probably have to define terms, but I would say the idealized version of Larry would be incredible.  Part of it is how devoid the Mav’s are of an alternative at this point.  Part of it is the flashes you see in his tape (Europe and summer).  I honestly don’t see the difference between Larry and Wagler to explain the 20 spot difference in where they were drafted.  Wagler’s 3 point shot is definitely more assured, but I’d argue Larry’s vision and passing are special.  It isn’t that I think Wagler drops downs to Larry’s level, it is that I can see a version of Larry that is every bit as good as the best projections for Wagler.  If that comes close to happening - watch out.

Are there other contenders for most important - assuming idealized versions?  I put Larry over Lively.  I think we know what Lively is, and it is formidable.  He just has to play and if he does he’s VERY important to the franchise.  I didn’t pick Risacher.  It would be nice if he could just be a younger version of Cam Johnson.  But, if that is his idealized outcome, it isn’t as high as what I’m hoping for from Larry.

The other candidate is Morez.  People who see him as a C cite Bam and Horford as comps.  That would certainly be good for our future, but it doesn’t touch the scarcity Larry might fill.  If I knew Lively wasn’t a factor I might feel differently.  To me, the idealized version of Morez is a starter next to Lively, not a 3rd big playing in place of Lively or Flagg when they rest.  Bam with a 3?  Jaren Jackson?  I saw him take guys off the dribble in summer league and maybe I put too much into his 3 point shot developing, but I don’t think Evan Mobley is out of reach for Morez.  Again, Idealized, but maybe not as valuable as the best version of Larry on a team with Flagg and a hopefully healthy (some day) Lively.

I don't argue any of what you wrote above, although to me the question mark around (or improvement in) Lively is just as big or bigger than the other what-to-wish-for outcomes. 

Each of those certainly offers a very VERY wide delta between best and worst possible (realistic) outcomes ...
1 Idealized De Larrea
2 Idealized Lively
3 Idealized Morez

[Scott41theMavs]

I don't argue any of what you wrote above, although to me the question mark around (or improvement in) Lively is just as big or bigger than the other what-to-wish-for outcomes. 

Each of those certainly offers a very VERY wide delta between best and worst possible (realistic) outcomes ...
1 Idealized De Larrea
2 Idealized Lively
3 Idealized Morez

I think Larry and Rez are actually pretty likely to achieve their ideals. With Lively, of course it comes down to the vicissitudes of health.

[F Gump]

I think Larry and Rez are actually pretty likely to achieve their ideals. With Lively, of course it comes down to the vicissitudes of health.

Very reasonable analysis.

More importantly - 5 Gold Stars for contributing "vicissitudes" to my life today!

[Chicagojk]

Lively looks 10 feet tall

https://x.com/dallasmavs/status/20906249...66/photo/1

[Chicagojk]

Ok...but WHY? Walk me through your thought process, because I want to understand it. This opinion is extremely counterintuitive for me.

It is just my opinion.  Could be wrong.  I did not focus much on Johnson last year when it become apparent the Mavs were going to suck.   I have watched him more since he was drafted, but certainly not a deep dive.  I think he does some things better at Center than PF now.    I just personally feel the best case upside for his career is if he can be  a real good PF who can also play center.    Maybe it is a preference.   I have needed to step back my fondness for Lively because he has not been able to be on the floor.    Although if my vision for Lively comes to reality, I think Lively is a player who finishes important games.   If true, Morez will need to be a PF if he wants to be on the court in important minutes.  Time will tell if Lively can stay on the court though.

[windjc]

Lively looks 10 feet tall

https://x.com/dallasmavs/status/20906249...66/photo/1

The reports say he grew almost 3 feet taller this offseason.

[Dahlsim]

Lively looks 10 feet tall

https://x.com/dallasmavs/status/20906249...66/photo/1

That Lively pic is interesting. He looks crazy giant there. It makes me wonder if his injury prone experience so far in the NBA could tied to continued late growth spurt.  Even his head and body look so much bigger here than Cooper Flagg who himself has reportedly grown a bit since entering the league? 
https://twitter.com/Mavs_FFL/status/2090642673245753563 

Lively himself, said at Mavericks media day in September 2025 that he had grown a couple of inches since the prior season and estimated that he was now about 7'2" to 7'3". That would put him roughly two inches above his previous 7'1" listing. 
https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/onsi/ne...mavericks- 

"Lively came into last season listed at 7'1", so if he has grown to 7'3", that would be huge for the Mavericks. In a division that includes the 7'3" Victor Wembanyama on the San Antonio Spurs, having someone who can match up with him.
This height change will also matter for Lively's offensive game. They've worked on developing his hook game around the basket, and those extra few inches could help get his shot off over smaller defenders. They also think he can stretch his game out to the three-point line this season, and he'll be able to shoot over anyone if that's the case.

Its easy to forget now that when Joel Embiid had a major late body growth spurt, getting much bigger from high school to college, not just tall but adding huge weight and muscle when he entered the league.  
Now after successful medical work early on that cost him most of his first 2 NBA seasons, although he's had injury problems none of it has been those foot and back stress fracture issues. Those injuries could easily have cost his entire career but he's went on to become an MVP, Gold Medalist, Allstar etc.  
https://www.businessinsider.com/joel-emb...ury-2014-6  

So I'm wondering about Lively and what's going on with his body. 
Could he still become a real star center for a Coop team that has to face Wemby for a long time to come? 
Yes, Joel Embiid entered the NBA with foot and back problems, having suffered a stress fracture in his back during college and a foot injury just before the 2014 NBA Draft. These injuries delayed his debut for two seasons
Yes, Joel Embiid entered the NBA with foot and back problems, having suffered a stress fracture in his back during college and a foot injury just before the 2014 NBA Draft. These injuries delayed his debut for two seasons
Yes, Joel Embiid entered the NBA with foot and back problems, having suffered a stress fracture in his back during college and a foot injury just before the 2014 NBA Draft. These injuries delayed his debut for two seasons

[windjc]

That Lively pic is interesting. He looks crazy giant there. It makes me wonder if his injury prone experience so far in the NBA could tied to continued late growth spurt.  Even his head and body look so much bigger here than Cooper Flagg who himself has reportedly grown a bit since entering the league? 
https://twitter.com/Mavs_FFL/status/2090642673245753563 

Lively himself, said at Mavericks media day in September 2025 that he had grown a couple of inches since the prior season and estimated that he was now about 7'2" to 7'3". That would put him roughly two inches above his previous 7'1" listing. 
https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/onsi/ne...mavericks- 

Its easy to forget now that when Joel Embiid had a major late body growth spurt, getting much bigger from high school to college, not just tall but adding huge weight and muscle when he entered the league.  
Now after successful medical work early on that cost him most of his first 2 NBA seasons, although he's had injury problems none of it has been those foot and back stress fracture issues. Those injuries could easily have cost his entire career but he's went on to become an MVP, Gold Medalist, Allstar etc.  
https://www.businessinsider.com/joel-emb...ury-2014-6  

So I'm wondering about Lively and what's going on with his body. 
Could he still become a real star center for a Coop team that has to face Wemby for a long time to come? 
Yes, Joel Embiid entered the NBA with foot and back problems, having suffered a stress fracture in his back during college and a foot injury just before the 2014 NBA Draft. These injuries delayed his debut for two seasons
Yes, Joel Embiid entered the NBA with foot and back problems, having suffered a stress fracture in his back during college and a foot injury just before the 2014 NBA Draft. These injuries delayed his debut for two seasons
Yes, Joel Embiid entered the NBA with foot and back problems, having suffered a stress fracture in his back during college and a foot injury just before the 2014 NBA Draft. These injuries delayed his debut for two seasons

Yes

[Smitty]

@christianpclark
The Mavericks have reached a buyout with Klay Thompson, the team says.

https://www.nba.com/mavs/news/dallas-mav...-agreement

[Smitty]

@christianpclark
The Mavericks have reached a buyout with Klay Thompson, the team says.

https://www.nba.com/mavs/news/dallas-mav...-agreement

@ShamsCharania
BREAKING: Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat after he clears waivers upon a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN.