Dallas Mavericks fans will have to wait a little longer to see Vsevolod “Seva” Ishchenko in uniform.
The Mavericks’ 56th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft will stay with Lokomotiv Kuban in Russia for the 2026-27 season, an update that was expected but still lands as a mixed bag for Dallas. On one hand, it gives the young guard another year to grow. On the other, it pushes back his NBA arrival.
That delay stings a bit more because Ishchenko made a real impression during Summer League. The late second-round pick averaged 9.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, and while the raw production was modest, the broader package caught attention. His feel, defensive instincts, and overall influence on the floor suggested he could be more than just a developmental flier.
At 6-foot-8, the swingman has the kind of frame that makes people stop and look twice. He also drew praise around the league, with some even saying Seva “might end up being a really good player...” That kind of reaction carries weight for a prospect who wasn’t close to the top 100 on most draft boards.
For Mavericks fans hoping to find a path for him back to Dallas this season, the options were never really there. The team had already filled its two-way spots after signing former 11th overall pick Jett Howard, along with Ishchenko’s draftmate Tobi Lawal and sharpshooter John Poulakidas. And even if a spot had opened up, NBA rules would have blocked Dallas from buying out Ishchenko’s contract just to make him eligible for a two-way deal.
So the outcome, while frustrating for fans, was always pointing in this direction. Still, there’s some comfort in the way Ishchenko’s camp is framing it. His agent, Nafiset Udychak, said he loved his time with the Mavericks’ Summer League team and remains driven to reach the NBA.
From a development standpoint, the extra year overseas makes sense. Rather than chasing limited minutes, Ishchenko will stay in a featured role with Lokomotiv Kuban, where he can keep building his game and gain confidence through steady playing time. It may not be the timeline Dallas supporters wanted, but it may be the one that helps him most.
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