The Dallas Mavericks are already working on the next piece of their roster puzzle, and Max Christie looks like a real candidate to stay in the picture long term.
During the team’s media day on Friday, Christie said talks have begun on a new deal, even if that’s not where his head is right now.
"There's been some dialogue, but to be honest, it's not really something I'm focused on to keep it 100. I'm really focused on this season and just playing the best basketball that I can and continuing to help this team win," Christie said.
"Extensions, if they happen, they happen; if they don't, they don't. I'm not really worried about that, to be honest, so I just want to help this team win."
Christie is coming off the best season of his career, averaging 12.3 PPG while hitting 40.4% of his threes on nearly six attempts a night. He’s long been viewed as a capable shooter, but last season was the one where the volume really jumped, thanks in part to the previous coaching staff pushing him to let it fly more often.
The timing matters, too. Christie still has two seasons left on his contract, but he also carries a player option worth $8.9 million. If he reaches the open market, the Mavericks could easily be looking at a price tag above that number.
That’s why an extension now makes sense for Dallas, especially for a 6'5" wing who can space the floor and give at least competent work on the defensive end. Players with that mix of size and shooting don’t exactly pile up around the league.
The Mavericks have already made one move in that direction this offseason, re-signing Naji Marshall to a three-year, $51.8 million extension. It was a sizable number, but Marshall brings value as a multi-position defender, which remains a prized trait in the NBA.
Dallas also went after more shooting in the backcourt this offseason, adding Tarik Biberovic and Zaccharie Risacher. If either of those additions develops into a high-level shooter, Christie’s role could get a little crowded. Even so, he still looks like a worthwhile extension candidate if the number lands around $12 million per year.
All of this is unfolding under a completely new regime in Dallas, with a new front office and coaching staff trying to reset the culture. Team president Masai Ujiri is already earning praise for the way he’s approaching the job, and the organization appears intent on treating both the fanbase and its players with respect while it moves forward.
In Other News...
Mavericks Camp Suddenly Has One Big Santi Aldama Question
Training camp has already brought a fresh layer of uncertainty for the Mavericks, and it starts with Santi Aldama. The big man has been limited as he works his way back from an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee in March, leaving Dallas to manage his involvement day by day while the medical staff controls how much he can do on the floor.
Dusty May has been careful not to force the issue, but he has made clear what Aldama could add once hes fully available: a versatile center who can help stretch defenses and open up lineup options. That kind of fit matters for a team also sorting out roles around Daniel Gafford, rookie Morez Johnson Jr. and the rest of camp, which is why Aldamas status has quickly become one of the more important things to watch as camp moves along. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Bring Back Dwight Powell And Now A Tough Call Awaits
Dwight Powell is officially back in Dallas, adding another familiar veteran presence to a roster that already looks full on paper. The Mavericks have been working to keep him in the fold, and league sources say the commitment to bring him back comes with the expectation that the front office will keep looking for ways to make it work.
For now, the issue is less about Powells fit than the mechanics of fitting him in. Dallas already has a crowded standard-contract situation, so the next move will have to come from somewhere else on the roster, and that leaves the Mavericks weighing a decision they would probably rather avoid this late in the summer. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Rookies Already Face Two Very Different Early Tests
One rookie is easing back into the mix while another is already in the middle of a long adjustment project. Morez Johnson Jr., the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, has been limited in practice because of left calf soreness, though he is close to returning to full participation. For a Mavericks team trying to sort out roles and rhythm early, his availability matters, especially with the club pushing a faster pace this season.
Sergio De Larrea, taken No. 25, has taken a different path so far. The guard has been leaning on veteran Santi Aldama and assistant coach Willie Green as he learns how NBA defenses are treating him and works to sharpen the finer points of his game, all while adjusting to a tempo that fits with his EuroLeague background. The two rookies are facing very different early tests, but both are part of the same larger question for Dallas: how quickly can this class start looking ready? [Read more 🡒]