The Mavericks have acquired another former No. 1 pick.
Dallas is acquiring forward Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, from the Atlanta Hawks as part of a three-team deal that sends guard Ryan Nembhard to Atlanta. The move sends Oklahoma City Thunder wing Luguentz Dort to Atlanta in exchange for three second-round picks. ESPN was the first to report the move.
One of the second-round picks going to Oklahoma City is a 2027 pick from Dallas (via Chicago).
The Mavericks will likely use their $20.8 million exception from the Davis trade to absorb Risacher’s $13.8 million salary for next season.
Over the first two seasons of his career, Risacher averaged 11.1 points on 36% shooting from three. He finished second in 2024 Rookie of the Year voting behind Spurs guard Stephon Castle.
After starting 73 games in his rookie season, Risacher started 46 last year and lost his starting job to veteran guard CJ McCollum late in the season.
Dallas also gains roster flexibility since the final two years of Risacher’s contract for 2026-27 and 2027-28 are team options.
Nembhard joined the Mavericks as a two-way player last year before getting promoted to a standard contract during the season. He averaged 6.6 points and 5.3 assists in 60 games last season and totaled 23 assists in the season-ending win over the Bulls. Dallas exercised his team option for this season shortly before the start of free agency, allowing Nembhard to suit up for the team’s summer league squad in Las Vegas. He appeared in just two games, averaging 13.5 points and 8.0 assists.
Risacher joins a crowded group of frontcourt players that also includes Flagg, P.J. Washington Jr., Naji Marshall, Morez Johnson Jr., Caleb Martin, Aldama and Biberovic.
NBA rosters are limited to 15 standard contracts during the regular season. The Mavericks have 16 players on standard contracts and must waive or trade someone before opening night.
The SportsDay staff contributed to this post.