Dallas Mavericks News

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Daniel Gafford • C • Mavericks

Daniel Gafford Remains on Trade Radar

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford remains a trade candidate. Heavy's Sean Deveney reported, via Grant Afseth of Roundtable, that Dallas hopes to land a first-round pick for both Gafford and P.J. Washington. Gafford is owed $17.26 million this season on a three-year, $54.38 million extension that includes a 5 percent trade kicker. The 27-year-old averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 21.7 minutes across 55 games last season while shooting 65.5 percent from the field. Dereck Lively II (foot) still lacks a firm return timeline, so Gafford opens camp with a clean path to blocks, boards, and elite field-goal percentage. A trade could raise his minutes ceiling, but Dallas' crowded frontcourt with Lively, Santi Aldama, and Morez Johnson Jr. keeps some role risk attached.

Yesterday

Kyrie Irving • PG • Mavericks

Kyrie Irving Draws Strong Praise From Dusty May

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (knee) has impressed new head coach Dusty May during summer workouts as he works back from the torn ACL that cost him all of last season. May told 105.3 The Fan's K&C Masterpiece that he has watched Irving work out and play pickup, adding that he has been "blown away" by Irving's preparation, attention to detail, and feel. The nine-time All-Star last played in 2024-25, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in 50 games. His return should lift a Dallas offense that ranked 27th last season and take creation pressure off reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. The ceiling is still high, but managers need to account for the long layoff.

4 days ago

Naji Marshall • SF • Mavericks

Naji Marshall Backed by Mavericks GM Mike Schmitz

Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall received strong public backing from general manager Mike Schmitz after signing a three-year, $52.2 million extension. Schmitz used a Friday appearance on 1310 The Ticket to praise Marshall's toughness, versatility, feel and ability to play with or without the ball. The 28-year-old averaged 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 29.5 minutes last season while shooting 51.0 percent from the field, though his 29.1 percent mark from three remains the swing skill. Klay Thompson's buyout removes one veteran wing, but Dallas still has a crowded forward mix around Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, Max Christie and Zaccharie Risacher. Marshall's role looks stable enough to keep him in the late-round fantasy conversation, with more upside if the jumper improves.

Aug 22

Santi Aldama • PF • Mavericks

Santi Aldama Sits Out Spain Qualifiers

Dallas Mavericks forward/center Santi Aldama will sit out Spain's upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifying window as he continues working back from right knee surgery. The Spanish Basketball Federation announced that Aldama will miss training camp and the games against Portugal and Greece, with both sides deciding not to rush his recovery before his first season in Dallas. The 25-year-old averaged 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists and shot 35.0 percent from three across 43 games last season. The fantasy appeal is real if the minutes are there, but Dallas' frontcourt is crowded, with Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington absorbing forward minutes while Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II handle the middle, leaving Aldama's role as the key swing factor.

Aug 20

P.J. Washington • PF • Mavericks

P.J. Washington Confident He Stays in Dallas

Dallas Mavericks forward/center P.J. Washington expects to open the season in Dallas despite spending much of the offseason in trade rumors. In an interview with DLLS Mavs' Kevin Gray Jr., Washington said he is "super confident" he will be a Maverick on Opening Night after long talks with team president Masai Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz. Marc Stein previously reported that Washington was among the veterans Dallas was viewed as open to trading, but the 27-year-old sounds committed to staying put. Washington averaged 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists last season, giving him useful category appeal if the minutes hold. A forward-heavy roster built around Cooper Flagg and recently extended Naji Marshall could still squeeze his ceiling, but Washington remains a viable late-round fantasy piece if he keeps a steady role.

Aug 19

Tarik Biberovic • PF • Mavericks

Tarik Biberovic Eyes Real NBA Role with Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks forward Tarik Biberovic is treating his NBA arrival as a starting point, telling Anadolu Agency that he wants to earn minutes and grow into one of the team's most reliable players. The 25-year-old said he will "start from zero" after an emotional exit from Fenerbahce, where he spent eight seasons and credited Sarunas Jasikevicius for helping unlock his game. Biberovic averaged 11.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 41.9 percent from deep across 41 EuroLeague games last season. The shooting is real, but he remains off fantasy radars while fighting for minutes in a crowded Dallas wing mix featuring Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall, and Caleb Martin.

Aug 18

Klay Thompson • SG • Mavericks

Heat Desperately Want to Sign Klay Thompson

According to Marc Stein, the Miami Heat desperately want to sign shooting guard Klay Thompson. The problem with that is Thompson is still under contract with the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs have been attempting to trade Thompson and his $17 million salary for the upcoming season. It doesn't sound like any teams are taking the bait and are waiting for the Mavs to eventually buy Thompson out of his contract. If that happens, the Heat sound like the frontrunners to sign Thompson if he becomes available in free agency. The 36-year-old is not the same player he used to be, but he can still be a solid 3-and-D player for a contending organization.

Aug 17

Cooper Flagg • PF • Mavericks

Cooper Flagg Draws Offseason Praise from Mavericks GM

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg has earned offseason praise from general manager Mike Schmitz, who discussed the reigning Rookie of the Year's development during a Friday appearance on 105.3 The Fan. The 19-year-old averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals as a rookie, becoming the first first-year player since Michael Jordan to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Kyrie Irving, nearing a return from his ACL tear, should ease some creation burden, but Flagg's scoring, rebounding, and defensive production keep him locked in as an early-round fantasy anchor.

Aug 16

Dereck Lively II • C • Mavericks

Dereck Lively II Making Progress in Foot Recovery

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II is making progress in his recovery from season-ending right foot surgery, with general manager Mike Schmitz saying Lively has been "working his tail off" and staying locked in around the facility. The 2023 No. 12 pick said in June that he was out of the boot and crutches and back in normal shoes, but later reports noted he still had not progressed to running. Lively appeared in only seven games last season, averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He remains a high-upside rim runner and shot blocker when healthy, but Daniel Gafford is the safer fantasy bet until Lively's timeline gets clearer. Morez Johnson Jr. adds another frontcourt body if the ramp-up drags.

Aug 16

Kyrie Irving • PG • Mavericks

Kyrie Irving's Recovery Shapes Mavericks' Outlook

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving remains the team's biggest question entering 2026-27, with ESPN's Tim MacMahon noting that Dallas needs him to return to form to become a real postseason threat. The nine-time All-Star has been sidelined since tearing his left ACL in March 2025, when he was averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across 50 games. Dallas is intrigued by Irving's fit next to Cooper Flagg, as his off-ball shooting and creation should ease the burden on the young franchise centerpiece. Until Irving is fully cleared, Max Christie has the clearest path to extra backcourt minutes, while the rest of Dallas' depth guards remain low-usage options. Irving remains a draft-and-stash target once his return timeline sharpens.

Aug 15

Max Christie • SG • Mavericks

Max Christie Eyes Bigger Role with Dallas

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Max Christie was named the team's biggest X factor for 2026-27 by ESPN. Christie set career highs last season with 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 77 games while shooting 40.4 percent from three, and ESPN noted that Dallas needs him to grow into a more reliable perimeter stopper next to Kyrie Irving. The 23-year-old is also arguably the Mavericks' only traditional shooting guard on a frontcourt-heavy roster. With Irving working back from left ACL surgery and Cooper Flagg leading the next phase of the franchise, Christie's minutes, spacing, and defensive role give him some points-and-threes appeal if the starting job holds.

Aug 15

Klay Thompson • SG • Mavericks

Klay Thompson Eyes Role on Title Contender

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson said he wants the chance to compete for a championship and play a role on a team built for a deep playoff run. The 36-year-old is coming off a career-low scoring season, averaging 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.9 threes in 21.7 minutes across 69 games while shooting 38.3 percent from deep. Dallas is now building around Cooper Flagg after his Rookie of the Year season, with Kyrie Irving still working back from left ACL surgery. Thompson has been linked to Miami and the Lakers, but his fantasy value remains limited to threes whether he stays or moves.

Aug 14

Klay Thompson • SG • Mavericks

Mavericks Hold Off on Klay Thompson Buyout

Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson is not currently discussing a buyout with the team, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Dallas is open to trading the four-time champion, but a buyout is not in play for now. Thompson is entering the final season of his deal at roughly $17.5 million, making him an easier trade chip than a long-term salary. The 36-year-old averaged a career-low 11.7 points in 21.7 minutes last season while still hitting 38.3 percent from three. He remains only a narrow fantasy target for threes, and his value likely depends on whether Dallas finds a trade.

Aug 8

Dereck Lively II • C • Mavericks

Dereck Lively II Talks Extension with Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II and the team have held early-stage talks on a possible rookie-scale extension, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, via Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. The number is tough to project after the 22-year-old played only seven games last season before undergoing season-ending right foot surgery. When healthy, Lively has been a high-efficiency rim runner and shot blocker, with career averages of 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 72.5 percent from the field. His lob finishing and rim protection fit cleanly alongside Cooper Flagg, but Dallas has reason to remain patient under Masai Ujiri, especially with Daniel Gafford still in the frontcourt picture. Lively carries blocks-and-boards upside, though his recovery is the swing factor.

Aug 7

Daniel Gafford • C • Mavericks

Mavericks Seek First-Rounder for Daniel Gafford

Dallas Mavericks forward/center Daniel Gafford remains available for the right price, with Evan Sidery reporting that Dallas is seeking a protected first-round pick in a deal. The 27-year-old is signed through 2028-29 at roughly $18.1 million annually, so Dallas does not have to dump him. Gafford averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 21.7 minutes last season while shooting 65.5% from the field, keeping him useful as a low-usage fantasy center. A trade would likely hurt Dereck Lively II's insurance value less than it would open minutes for Morez Johnson Jr. and Moussa Cisse, who would move closer to the nightly center mix.

Aug 6

P.J. Washington • PF • Mavericks

Mavericks Shop P.J. Washington

The Dallas Mavericks are shopping forward/center P.J. Washington in trade talks, per Evan Sidery. Dallas has a crowded frontcourt after extending Naji Marshall and adding rookie Morez Johnson Jr., creating a potential minutes squeeze for Washington. The 27-year-old is under contract through 2029-30 on a four-year, $88.76 million extension, giving the Mavericks a sizable salary-matching piece if they pursue a consolidation trade. Washington played a career-low 56 games last season, averaging 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 1.4 threes while shooting 32.5 percent from deep. A trade to a team that starts him would help preserve his rebounds, threes, and defensive-stat value, while staying in Dallas could leave him fighting for touches in a crowded rotation.

Aug 5

Klay Thompson • SG • Mavericks

Klay Thompson Draws Lakers Trade Buzz

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers as a possible trade target, per Evan Sidery. Unlike the Miami Heat, who appear more likely to wait on a buyout, Los Angeles has salary-matching paths if it wants to make a deal. The appeal is obvious: Thompson would reunite with former Mavericks teammate Luka Doncic, whose playmaking could create catch-and-shoot looks for the veteran wing. Thompson, 36, is owed $17.46 million in the final year of his deal and averaged 11.7 points while shooting 38.3 percent from three last season. A Lakers move would be a clean basketball fit, but he remains a low-usage threes specialist rather than a reliable standard-league fantasy option.

Aug 4

Klay Thompson • SG • Mavericks

Mavericks Exploring Trading Klay Thompson

Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson is likely to be on the move soon. According to Christian Clark of The Athletic, the Mavs are currently shopping Thompson on the trade market. The veteran sharpshooter does have a buyout in his contract, but the Mavs would prefer to move him via trade. Teams such as the Miami Heat have reportedly shown interest, but the level of significance is unknown. Thompson is set to have a cap hit of $17 million for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. His stats have regressed since he joined the Mavericks two seasons ago. Thompson could still help a team in some capacity, but it's going to be difficult for the Mavs to convince anyone to take on his $17 million salary for this upcoming season.

Aug 3

Naji Marshall • SF • Mavericks

Naji Marshall Signs Three-Year Deal with Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks signed forward Naji Marshall to a new deal on Sunday. The two sides have agreed to a three-year, $52.2 million extension. Marshall has spent each of the last two seasons with the Mavs and has played well during his time there. This past season, Marshall averaged 15.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 29.5 minutes per game in 74 contests. He has been an important piece for them, especially when the Mavs have dealt with injuries in the frontcourt. He'll now be tied to the team until 2030, which is good for the team to have a knowledgeable veteran presence.

Aug 2

Klay Thompson • SG • Mavericks

Heat Waiting on Klay Thompson Buyout Path

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson remains a Miami Heat target, but the Heat are more likely to wait on a possible buyout than trade for him, per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. Miami could use the remainder of its midlevel exception if Thompson reaches the market, but Dallas reportedly prefers to find a trade for the four-time champion rather than let him walk for nothing. Thompson, 36, is owed roughly $17.5 million in the final year of his deal and is coming off a diminished season, averaging 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while still hitting around 38 percent from three. He would help Miami's spacing, but his low usage and fading all-around production leave him as a deep-league threes specialist at best.

Aug 1

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