Dusty May hasn’t even settled on a starting five yet, and he’s not pretending otherwise.
With Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg clearly penciled in as two starters, the Mavericks’ first-time head coach said the rest of the lineup is still very much a work in progress as training camp rolls on.
“We haven’t really settled into that now,” May said. “We’re more or less looking at two- and three-man lineup combinations, one- and five-man lineup combinations.
So anyone that has any speculation on the first five and the second five, please let me know because I have no idea at this point. We’re going to keep trying.”
That uncertainty hasn’t dimmed the energy around camp. Flagg said May’s presence has already helped set the tone for a group that’s still learning each other.
“The energy’s been really high-level,” the 19-year-old wing said. “Different is definitely a word I would use to describe it.
We’ve had a really unique culture so far with the new staff and everybody. It’s been great to get everybody in the same environment, get everybody on the same page.
I’ve been having a lot of fun with the energy and atmosphere like that.”
The Mavericks are also managing a few health situations early in camp. Morez Johnson Jr., the team’s 2026 top-10 pick, has been limited because of lower-leg soreness.
“We’re just managing his workload,” May said. “I think today he was in every other live session, so just workload management at this point.”
Johnson is one of several big men dealing with leg-related issues. Santi Aldama is still working back from an arthroscopic procedure in March, while Dereck Lively II remains limited after the right foot surgery he had in December.
There’s also a new face in Zaccharie Risacher, and he’s already feeling the confidence from the people running the show. Two years after being selected No. 1 overall and then getting traded, Risacher is now facing an October 31 deadline on his $17.4MM fourth-year team option. Even so, he says the message from the organization has been clear.
“[Team president Masai Ujiri], [general manager Mike Schmitz], Coach Dusty, when I got them on the phone after I got traded, that’s when I knew they were super excited about getting me,” Risacher said. “And it’s been huge for me to be able to see that I’m a part of an organization where they wanted me to be here, and then to succeed too. That plays a big role and that’s a big motivation for me.”
Risacher thinks his game fits what Dallas is trying to build. He pointed to quick decision-making, off-ball movement and versatility on defense as traits that should help him alongside Flagg and Irving.
The Mavericks also spent draft night bringing in Sergio de Larrea, another rookie adjusting to a different kind of basketball life after years in Europe. The 6-foot-6 guard said the NBA game has already felt different in some obvious ways.
“It’s different,” de Larrea said, as relayed by Afseth. “The court is bigger, but also the bodies are bigger.
But let’s say maybe there’s more space in the paint compared to Europe. But here, otherwise, there’s empty space in the middle, [but] the centers are going to block your shot.”
De Larrea said he’s been preparing for the physical pressure smaller defenders will bring, and he’s focused on improving his ball-handling so he can handle being crowded on the dribble.
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The Mavericks may have more leverage than they expected from the Luka Doncic deal, and it could come in the form of Max Christie. The guard landed in Dallas as part of the blockbuster with the Lakers, and his early work with the Mavericks has been enough to keep him in the conversation as a useful rotation piece rather than a throw-in from a larger swap.
Los Angeles is already in training camp for the 2026 season and still looking at ways to shore up its wing group, which is why Christie has surfaced as a name to watch. If the Lakers decide their current wing production is not enough, they could circle back before the Feb. 11 trade deadline, and Dallas would have to weigh whether its latest Luka-era asset is becoming too valuable to move. [Read more 🡒]
Former Mavericks Guard Just Landed A Real NBA Opportunity Elsewhere
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For Nembhard, the appeal goes beyond simply landing on an NBA roster. Denver has spent time identifying players who can fit into meaningful roles without costing much, and that gives him a chance to develop around proven veterans such as Jamal Murray while competing for minutes in a situation that could reward steady growth. [Read more 🡒]
Mavs Fans Have A Fair Concern About Morez Johnson Jr. Right Now
Morez Johnson Jr. has spent much of the early days of Mavericks training camp on a careful plan, with the No. 9 overall pick limited while the team eases him through lower leg soreness. Head coach Dusty May said Johnson is taking part in most live sessions, but Dallas is clearly watching the rookie closely after he also missed time at the end of Summer League with calf soreness.
For a team hoping to lean on its young talent sooner rather than later, that naturally raises some concern, even if the Mavericks are not treating it like a setback. P.J. Washington has already come away impressed by Johnsons strength and work ethic in practice, so the ability is there, but the bigger question now is how quickly Dallas can build him up without pushing too fast. [Read more 🡒]