2026 Dallas Mavericks Preseason

[vfromlmf]

None of ZR's game is a surprise. He is showing us he's a 24'ish minute rotation player who will get you 12 points, 3-4 boards, an assist or two, maybe a steal.... all with length, speed, and upside. He needs to get MUCH stronger. He looks like a lost baby deer at times. He's probably a net liability on the floor. He'll have a few 20 point nights but he'll also have some clunkers -- like yesterday's 0 for 7 from three. But if he gets 7 threes up, he'll usually make two or three. If he made two last night he would've scored 12.

I'm not sure Max Christie give you much more than ZR does, but Max looks more comfortable.

They should both wear number 12 because that's what they'll both average this year.

ZR is only 21. I'm not ready to pencil him in as a wing of the future any more than I'd be willing to pencil in Max, but I'm not ready to write off either one of them just yet.

The Mavs should pick up ZR's option 100 times out of 100.

[hakeemfaan]

I wouldn’t mind if the Mavs picked up ZR option just as I wouldn’t mind if they didn’t. I hope he pans out but I don’t see a feel for the game with him. He has been in the league a few years now and should be showing improvement in changing speeds and using his elite athleticism as a weapon than just playing at one speed all the time.

I am still upset they didn’t go with Seva over some of their other acquisitions. The eyes don’t lie. He and Larry were fun to watch in the SL. Instead we have decided to go with certain one dimensional players for whatever reason.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

When the Mavs traded for ZR, I didn't see how the Mavs could be interested in exercising his year-4 option (which would be for 17.4M), based on his performance in ATL. 

After what has happened in camp so far, I still think that option is very iffy. He talks a good game but he's a KP, not a 17M player. And imo he's not showing high potential. JAG. 

Fortunately the Mavs get to see what happens in 6 regular season games before making a decision, but unless he looks completely different, I wouldn't be surprised if they say no and let him play for his future.

Yea, there's no way I'm picking up that option.  

Biberovic doesn't look much of a NBA player either.

Let's see if Sasser looks like a rotation player.

[F Gump]

ZR is only 21. I'm not ready to pencil him in as a wing of the future any more than I'd be willing to pencil in Max, but I'm not ready to write off either one of them just yet. 

The Mavs should pick up ZR's option 100 times out of 100.

I'm not nearly as optimistic about ZR as you are, because I'm not only seeing a big fat nothing so far, but I am also failing to see any tease of potential growth any time soon. 

HOWEVER ... declining that option doesn't mean they are completely giving up on him. It just means they are not stuck with paying him 17M in 2027-28. It tosses him into the UFA bin next summer, and at that point they can still sign him. I don't think the offers would be nearly that 17M size, and if he has ANYTHING that looks like he is worth the effort, you have a path to development years at a reasonable number - not at 17M. 

The question is whether to massively overpay him, for a year, to keep from having to bid on him as a UFA. I would not.  

On a somewhat related note, are we now all agreed that there is no extension for Lively that makes any sense? Personally, despite all the smoke the Mavs have been sending out on him, I'm not convinced he will play this season. That would be disappointing, but it's reality.

[vfromlmf]

Honestly, it's not that I'm especially optimistic about ZR. I think a lot remains to be seen. But what he is now, is strikingly similar to Max, and counting stats might slightly favor Risacher. If you're an advanced metrics guy, Max is a more efficient scorer but most of that has to do with Risacher's oddly low free throw percentage. Neither player shoots many FTs. Max has slightly higher playmaking volume, but Risccher is less turnover prone. Neither is much of a playmaker. Risacher is a better rebounder. Their usage is identical. These are very similar players today.

Which guy has more upside? I'll leave that to you to decide.

Max is a guy people are speculating could be a $20-21M player on an extension. Risacher's option is $17M.

I get that neither player looks like a difference maker. They both look ok and on a team with Cooper and Kyrie, it looks like either one of them could start. They'll each play around 24 minutes. More on some night, less on others. I don't see any reason not to pick up Zach's option. It would be awesome if I could be meh in my job and earn $17M but that's the going rate for NBA players and my athleticism peaked in 8th grade.

[vfromlmf]

Honestly, it's not that I'm especially optimistic about ZR. I think a lot remains to be seen. But what he is now, is strikingly similar to Max, and counting stats might slightly favor Risacher. If you're an advanced metrics guy, Max is a more efficient scorer but most of that has to do with Risacher's oddly low free throw percentage. Neither player shoots many FTs. Max has slightly higher playmaking volume, but Risccher is less turnover prone. Neither is much of a playmaker. Risacher is a better rebounder. Their usage is identical. These are very similar players today.

Which guy has more upside? I'll leave that to you to decide.

People are speculating Max's extension will start around $19-21M. Risacher's option is $17M.

I get that neither player looks like a difference maker. They both look ok, and on a team with Cooper and Kyrie, it looks like either one of them could start. They'll each play around 24 minutes. More on some nights, less on others. I don't see any reason not to pick up Zach's option. It would be awesome if I could be meh in my job and earn $17M but that's the going rate for NBA players and my athleticism peaked in 8th grade.

[F Gump]

Honestly, it's not that I'm especially optimistic about ZR. I think a lot remains to be seen. But what he is now, is strikingly similar to Max, and counting stats might slightly favor Risacher. If you're an advanced metrics guy, Max is a more efficient scorer but most of that has to do with Risacher's oddly low free throw percentage. Neither player shoots many FTs. Max has slightly higher playmaking volume, but Risccher is less turnover prone. Neither is much of a playmaker. Risacher is a better rebounder. Their usage is identical. These are very similar players today.

Which guy has more upside? I'll leave that to you to decide.

Max is a guy people are speculating could be a $20-21M player on an extension. Risacher's option is $17M.

I get that neither player looks like a difference maker. They both look ok and on a team with Cooper and Kyrie, it looks like either one of them could start. They'll each play around 24 minutes. More on some night, less on others. I don't see any reason not to pick up Zach's option. It would be awesome if I could be meh in my job and earn $17M but that's the going rate for NBA players and my athleticism peaked in 8th grade.

The issue with 17M has to do with NBA math in the Apron World. It's problematic to idly pay an extra 10M or so these days, because you just don't have the latitude to do stupid things anymore with the mindset that "it's only money." Those bloated deals have negative ripple effects on the rest of your roster building, and they also make players unmovable for any value in return. 

OTOH if you are CONVINCED that ZR is a long-term keeper that you need on the roster at 17M or more per year, sure you exercise that option. But if you don't see that type of value ahead, and you see that as bad money, you simply gotta say no to the option imo.  

SIDE NOTE -  I am way more positive about Max than ZR. For who he is now, he's not getting that number either. And if Max ends up at over 20M, it will be because his game took a big leap.

[vfromlmf]

I guess that’s where we agree or disagree. If Max is worth $19M to start (many people are suggesting he’s a 4 years $80M player) then ZR is certainly worth $17M.

Granted, we’ve yet to see ZR play one minute of real basketball in a Mavs uniform.

[F Gump]

"many people are suggesting Max is a 4 years $80M player"

As is? Wow, who thinks Max has been that great? I'm not much of a believer in "people are saying" as being authoritative, and so far I don't think he is as impactful as Naji, who was just signed at only 3 yr 51.8M.

So far he's a decent rotation secondary piece, but he doesn't change the game. I think anything more than about 12-14 is based on an expectation of growth rather than a reflection of his current level of play. NBA finances are tighter than that imo.

[ballsrchr]

"many people are suggesting Max is a 4 years $80M player"

As is? Wow, who thinks Max has been that great? I'm not much of a believer in "people are saying" as being authoritative, and so far I don't think he is as impactful as Naji, who was just signed at only 3 yr 51.8M.

So far he's a decent rotation secondary piece, but he doesn't change the game. I think anything more than about 12-14 is based on an expectation of growth rather than a reflection of his current level of play. NBA finances are tighter than that imo.

I mostly agree with this--at this time.  However...I do think Max has the potential to become a $20M player if he continues to improve.  And I think he will.

ZR?  He's a rookie...a raw rookie.  Let's get a body of work before we crack open the cookie jar.  I am hopeful though.

[vfromlmf]

"many people are suggesting Max is a 4 years $80M player"

Analysts and team blogs. Nick Angstadt and Isaac Harris. Grant Afseth. Tyler Watts. Dallas Hoops Jounal. The Mavs Blog. 

Locked On Mavs put Max’s valuation at $19-20M annually when they interviewed him on media day. Nothing definitive but a data point.

I’ll add, I don’t think you get a 22-23 year old 30 mpg starting shooting guard who makes 40% of his threes and plays solid defense for $12-14M in today’s NBA. That’s Max last year. Maybe you could get a guy like that for that money 10 years ago. Not anymore though.

[hakeemfaan]

I agree with both of you but Gump is looking at it from today’s viewpoint whereas lmf and even I am stuck in yesterday’s finances.

Teams can’t just afford to throw 15M+ deals around anymore. It has consequences. Denver wishes it had a redo on Braun. We might have the same regrets with Naji. Really solid players are basically being given awy or let to walk because teams have made bad decisions on mid players that are an albatross now.

In the current NBA apron world, Max is absolutely not worth that type of money, unless, as Gump said, he takes a huge leap forward

[numnuts23]

If it's Max vs ZR - I'd go with ZR here....unless he looks like a complete disaster when on the court with Kyrie and Flagg. If he's on the court without them, it probably will always be messy, as he needs talent around him for now.

His length, defense and ability to grab boards is going to be a big plus this year.
Scoring wise, I'd give the edge to Max at this moment, but ZR can improve here.

He was not in a good situation in Atlanta. I think this run with Dallas will be different. Now, will he ever live up to his draft status, probably not...but I think he has the ability to grow into a big time contributor on this team.

Max just seems like a good role player, who doesn't have that much more room to grow. If your talking the same amount of money, you have to go with the upside here - especially since Dallas has limited draft picks coming up.

[hakeemfaan]

If it's Max vs ZR - I'd go with ZR here....unless he looks like a complete disaster when on the court with Kyrie and Flagg.  If he's on the court without them, it probably will always be messy, as he needs talent around him for now.

His length, defense and ability to grab boards is going to be a big plus this year. 
Scoring wise, I'd give the edge to Max at this moment, but ZR can improve here. 

He was not in a good situation in Atlanta.  I think this run with Dallas will be different.  Now, will he ever live up to his draft status, probably not...but I think he has the ability to grow into a big time contributor on this team. 

Max just seems like a good role player, who doesn't have that much more room to grow.  If your talking the same amount of money, you have to go with the upside here - especially since Dallas has limited draft picks coming up.

ZR has elite athleticism and very good height which will always seduce folks, but Max imo is a much more solid player. He is very young too and so we can’t say that his ceiling is capped.  

At this point I won’t pay anything close to $15m for either though.  Its nothing against either of them.  Just the issues with the 2nd apron and small financial overpays causing a larger damage in the long run.

[Chicagojk]

I have trouble seeing they extend both of ZR and max after this year. I may have thought differently if they had let Marshall expire. Him extended changes things. I still don’t know how he fits here long term despite being a good player.

I think both Max and ZR will get a lot of opportunities this year. While shooting is important, who can be the better point of attack defender may be the more important skill. max is smart and does the right things but I though he didn’t impact on defense last year. ZR is bigger but will need to watch him closely this year.

Btw does Sergio forcing time at some point this year, make the 2 guard minutes even smaller?

[Mavs2021]

Let´s hope we see a performance tonight, cause so far this new team hasn´t looked like they´ll even go above the 34.5 wins.

So far the play in preseason has been very disappointing overall and the idea that Naji/Martin can handle PG duties seems badly misguided.

Let´s see at least a full three quarters of serious rotations with actual guards running the offense to get a feel what Dusty May is truly about. That means everybody except Lively and Aldama. Cause so far I´d say only De Larrea and Lawal could be given firmly positive reviews for their preseasons.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

So far the play in preseason has been very disappointing overall and the idea that Naji/Martin can handle PG duties seems badly misguided.

Yea, I'm already a little irritated at this Naji Marshall is the backup PG storyline.

[DallasMaverick]

Let´s hope we see a performance tonight, cause so far this new team hasn´t looked like they´ll even go above the 34.5 wins.

So far the play in preseason has been very disappointing overall and the idea that Naji/Martin can handle PG duties seems badly misguided.

Let´s see at least a full three quarters of serious rotations with actual guards running the offense to get a feel what Dusty May is truly about. That means everybody except Lively and Aldama. Cause so far I´d say only De Larrea and Lawal could be given firmly positive reviews for their preseasons.

If there’s one thing that history has proven, it’s this:

Preseason means nothing.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/Fvv1FVwLH7

I guess it means something for those guys fighting for a roster spot at the end of the bench.  And fans like us who are desperate for speculative fodder.

But not for any good indication of what the team will be this season.

[mvossman]

If there’s one thing that history has proven, it’s this:

Preseason means nothing.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/s/Fvv1FVwLH7

I guess it means something for those guys fighting for a roster spot at the end of the bench.  And fans like us who are desperate for speculative fodder.

But not for any good indication of what the team will be this season.

The numbers get skewed by vet teams that already know what they are doing and use preseason to warm up and fight for end of the bench roster spots.  But for a young team with a new inexperienced coaching staff and a lot of roster turnover I'm not expecting to see something completely different in regular season than what we saw in preseason.

[vfromlmf]

Mavs Moneyball:

Christie 4 years, $70M, starting @ $17.5

Risacher option $17.4M