{"id":438363,"date":"2026-09-17T03:04:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T03:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/438363\/"},"modified":"2026-09-17T03:04:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T03:04:11","slug":"recapping-dallas-mavericks-2026-offseason-ahead-of-training-camp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/438363\/","title":{"rendered":"Recapping Dallas Mavericks 2026 Offseason Ahead of Training Camp"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9q\">The Dallas Mavericks are about 10 days away from starting training camp in preparation for the 2026-27 season. They get a little bit of an early start due to playing preseason games internationally, so media day will be on the 25th, and training camp will begin soon after. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9v\">With so many changes, here is a quick recap of everything that has changed with the Mavericks this offseason. <\/p>\n<p>Front Office<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"a5\">Nico Harrison was fired as the general manager in November in one of the most fan-pressured firings we&#8217;ve ever seen, which left a lot of time for Governor Patrick Dumont to find the next head of basketball operations. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"aa\">Dumont landed on Masai Ujiri, the former president of basketball operations of the Toronto Raptors, who guided them to their lone NBA championship in 2019. Ujiri is team president as well as alternate governor, and brings a level of respect that Harrison never had. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"af\">Ujiri hired Mike Schmitz to be the general manager after a few years as the assistant GM with the Portland Trail Blazers. Prior to that, Schmitz ran ESPN&#8217;s DraftExpress, gaining credibility as a scout and analyst of the NBA Draft, which shifted the Mavs&#8217; focus to drafting. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ak\">They retained Michael Finley as an assistant GM but let Matt Riccardi walk, but his next destination isn&#8217;t known as of now. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m2pgm9mh0cgnp0e7xb.jpg\" alt=\"New Dallas Mavericks\u2019 head coach Dusty May\" title=\"New Dallas Mavericks\u2019 head coach Dusty May\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"aw\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Jun 29, 2026; Dallas, TX, USA;  New Dallas Mavericks\u2019 head coach Dusty May, along side Masai Ujiri, Dallas Mavericks\u2019 President of Basketball Operations, answers questions from the media during an introductory press conference at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p>Coaching Staff<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"b7\">Masai Ujiri made the decision to clean house and let Jason Kidd go as the head coach, despite Kidd having more than $40 million remaining on the contract extension he had just signed last offseason. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bc\">After a search that lasted over a month, they eventually landed on Dusty May, who was fresh off winning a national championship with Michigan in just his second season there. His coaching resume is impressive, having led Florida Atlantic to the program&#8217;s first Final Four appearance. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bh\">He&#8217;s assembled a coaching staff full of player-development backgrounds, including former Pelicans head coach Willie Green, Joe Boylan, and former NBA player Garrett Temple. You can read more about the staff <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/pClzqjk4sP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">HERE<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>2026 NBA Draft Recap<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"br\">The Mavericks had an eventful 2026 NBA Draft. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bw\">It started with taking Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr., 9th overall, and pairing him up with his former college coach, Dusty May. While there are valid concerns about his offensive fit, he should thrive defensively, and he&#8217;ll likely be used as a small-ball center early. Some found it to be an interesting pick considering their need in the backcourt. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"c1\">Using two future second-round picks, the Mavericks traded up from 30 to 25 to take Spanish guard Sergio De Larrea. He&#8217;s raw as a scorer but has exciting potential as a playmaker. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-16\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"c6\">With the 48th overall pick, the Mavericks took Tobi Lawal from Virginia Tech, a really athletic forward. He&#8217;ll be on a two-way contract. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-17\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"cb\">The Mavericks then traded into the back end of the second round to take Vsevolod Ishchenko out of Russia. He&#8217;ll stay overseas this year despite a lot of people being excited about him. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m2pgkfg2w1hmy2dw9g.jpg\" alt=\"Morez Johnson Jr, the Dallas Mavericks first-round pick\" title=\"Morez Johnson Jr, the Dallas Mavericks first-round pick\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"cn\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Jun 25, 2026; Dallas, TX, USA;  Morez Johnson Jr, the Dallas Mavericks first-round pick in the 2026 NBA draft answers questions from the media  during an introductory press conference  at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p>Players Let Go\/Still Available<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-20\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"cy\">Despite coming off a career year, Brandon Williams was only able to sign a one-year non-guaranteed minimum contract with the Golden State Warriors to continue his career. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-21\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"d3\">A.J. Johnson was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, then soon rerouted to the New Orleans Pelicans. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-22\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"d8\">Khris Middleton was included in a sign-and-trade to go back to the Washington Wizards. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-23\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"dd\">Ryan Nembhard was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-24\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"di\">Marvin Bagley III signed with the Denver Nuggets in free agency. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-25\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"dn\">Klay Thompson and the Mavericks agreed to a buyout, allowing him to sign with the Miami Heat as he looks to remain competitive. He gave up $9.8 million of the $17.5 million he was owed in order to do so. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-26\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ds\">The fan-favorite Dwight Powell remains a free agent. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-27\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"dx\">Tyler Smith was let go from his two-way contract after his disastrous Summer League outing. <\/p>\n<p>Players Retained\/Extended<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-29\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"e7\">The Mavericks matched the offer sheet for Moussa Cisse, bringing him back on a two-year, mostly non-guaranteed deal. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-30\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ec\">Naji Marshall was set to enter the final season of his contract, but the Mavericks extended him on a three-year, $51 million contract. It&#8217;s on a declining scale. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m2pgj8ne793z2zfwzn.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall\" title=\"Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"eo\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Feb 5, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) celebrates making a three point shot against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p>Players Added<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-33\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ez\">The Mavericks traded for Marcus Sasser from the Detroit Pistons, taking him into an exception in what was essentially a salary dump. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-34\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"f4\">In the deal that sent Ryan Nembhard to the Hawks, the Mavericks got back Zaccharie Risacher, the first overall pick of the already infamous 2024 NBA Draft. It&#8217;s an interesting gamble on talent. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-35\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"f9\">In the trade that sent A.J. Johnson to Memphis, the Mavs got back Santi Aldama and the draft rights to Tarik Biberovic, a talented three-point shooter, who signed a two-year deal to come stateside. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-36\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"fe\">Former lottery pick Jett Howard signed on a two-way contract. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-37\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"fj\">Sign up to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nba\/mavericks\/onsi\/newsletter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">free newsletter<\/a> and follow us on <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/maverickssi?s=21&amp;t=nyCeWGVWMsSpULqWCupqGA\" rel=\"nofollow\">X<\/a> for the latest news.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/>Add us as a preferred source on Google<a aria-label=\"Follow si.com on Google News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" preventdefault:click=\"\" class=\"flex h-[30px] w-[30px] shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-group-large text-sm font-medium text-white transition-colors hover:bg-secondary focus:bg-secondary md:w-auto md:gap-2.5 md:px-4 md:py-[5px]\" on:pointerenter=\"q-DtmviDxZ.js#s_1NOcOpHWmT0\" on:touchstart=\"q-tPEhYbgC.js#s_R8AiGTDeM28\" on:focus=\"q-DLcswT2V.js#s_gxiTM6qMMu8\" on:click=\"q-BB9VQp3H.js#s_lDqay9E5m5g[0]\" q:id=\"fp\">Follow<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Dallas Mavericks are about 10 days away from starting training camp in preparation for the 2026-27 season.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":438364,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[102,104,103],"class_list":["post-438363","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-dallas","tag-dallas","tag-dallas-headlines","tag-dallas-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=438363"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438363\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/438364"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=438363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=438363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=438363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}