Mavericks acquire Risacher in multi-team deal
The Dallas Mavericks have acquired Zaccharie Risacher, the former No. 1 overall draft pick, and a protected 2027 second-round pick from the Atlanta Hawks. This transaction was part of a three-team trade that also involved the Oklahoma City Thunder. The deal was officially completed on Sunday.
As part of the trade, Dallas sent guard Ryan Nembhard to Atlanta. Additionally, a 2027 second-round pick, which the Mavericks had originally acquired from the Chicago Bulls, was sent to Oklahoma City. This move brings Risacher, who was selected first overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Hawks, to Dallas.
Risacher, who is 21 years old, has international experience playing for France. He contributed to the senior national team during the 2025 EuroBasket tournament. Prior to that, he earned a silver medal at the 2023 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and a bronze medal at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 World Cup. His international background adds another dimension to his profile as he joins the Mavericks.
Risacher’s NBA career and player movements
Standing at 6-foot-9, Risacher is a forward who averaged 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists across 142 career games with Atlanta, including 119 starts. During the 2024-25 season, he was recognized with NBA All-Rookie First Team honors, averaging 12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 75 games. As a rookie, he scored at least 30 points four times, including a career-high 38 points against the Brooklyn Nets on April 10, 2025.
In his second NBA season, Risacher averaged 9.6 points and 3.8 rebounds, shooting 45.5% from the field. The Mavericks are acquiring him after what has been described as a disappointing second season, allowing them to take a slower approach with his development. The team is not yet fully committed to building a playoff roster, which could provide Risacher with the time needed to gain confidence in his role.
Ryan Nembhard, the guard sent to Atlanta, joined the Mavericks as an undrafted rookie in the 2025-26 season. Before the trade, he averaged 6.6 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 60 games, starting in 27 of them. Nembhard, a 5-foot-11 point guard, worked his way into the Mavericks’ rotation last season after beginning the year on a Two-Way contract. He also broke a franchise record for assists in a game by a rookie with a 23-assist performance against the Bulls in April.
Thunder and Hawks benefit from the trade
The Atlanta Hawks, in addition to receiving Ryan Nembhard, also acquired guard Lu Dort from the Oklahoma City Thunder. This move adds another defensive wing to their rotation. Dort, who is 27 years old, spent the first seven years of his career with the Thunder after going undrafted in 2019. Last season, he averaged 8.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game, becoming a key part of Oklahoma City’s championship run in 2025.
The Hawks are pairing Dort with Dyson Daniels, aiming to create a strong wing defense with two former All-Defensive players. This acquisition is seen as a beneficial move for Atlanta, as they are taking a chance on Dort without giving up significant assets. Dort shot 34.4 percent from deep last season and 38.5 percent overall, and the Hawks hope he can return to his previous shooting form of 40.3 percent from outside.
The Oklahoma City Thunder received three second-round draft picks in exchange for Lu Dort. These picks include the 2027 Chicago pick via Dallas, a 2031 most favorable pick from Atlanta, and a 2032 most favorable pick from Atlanta. This brings their offseason total to seven second-round picks, following earlier trades that sent Aaron Wiggins to the Hawks and Isaiah Joe to the Pistons. The Thunder had picked up Dort’s $17.7 million team option earlier in the offseason before trading him for additional draft capital.
The trade allows the Thunder to manage their payroll, as they were facing significant financial commitments. By shedding salary, they aim to stay under the second-apron payroll threshold, which imposes restrictions on successful NBA teams. This move is part of their strategy to navigate the financial landscape while maintaining a competitive roster, even after losing key role players like Dort.
The Mavericks’ acquisition of Risacher is seen as a good gamble, as he slots into the roster using a portion of the trade exception created when Anthony Davis was moved to the Washington Wizards. Mavericks president Masai Ujiri is known for favoring tall, versatile wings, a description that fits Risacher. The deal became official on Sunday.
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Source: fox4news.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.