DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks finished 26-56 last season, 12th in the Western Conference. Mike Schmitz took over as general manager May 8. Since then, he said Dallas has gotten bigger, longer, more athletic, and more skilled.
Four days before Schmitz arrived, Dallas named Masai Ujiri president of basketball operations and alternate governor. Schmitz came from the Portland Trail Blazers, where he had spent four seasons as an assistant general manager. The Mavericks and Jason Kidd parted ways May 19 after five seasons, and Dusty May was hired June 22.
Dallas ranked 27th of 30 teams in offensive rating at 110.3. The Mavericks posted a 52.7% effective field-goal percentage, tied for 27th, and shot 34.4% from 3-point range on 31.9 attempts per game. Their offensive rebounding rate of 27.9% tied for 26th.
Schmitz made his comments Friday on “G-Bag Nation” on 105.3 The Fan.
Mike Schmitz Explains Dallas Mavericks’ Roster Model
Schmitz said the offseason additions have given Dallas more size, length, athleticism, and skill, with more space for the team’s primary ball handlers and creators.
“Like I said, we definitely feel like we’ve upgraded in a variety of ways with the size and the length and the skill level,” Schmitz said. “We’ve got almost two months to opening night, and the schedule release obviously yesterday, and just kind of crunching some of those numbers and taking a look at all the different things. How many back-to-backs are you playing? How many national TV games do you get? How many miles are you traveling? All those things.”
“But we’re constantly evaluating ways to get better,” Schmitz continued. “To this point, we feel like we’ve added to our talent base, added some skill sets that help complement several of our players. And I’m so excited about where we’re at and the direction we’re heading.”
Schmitz does not see one model for building a winner.
“I think there are different ways to do it, and you’ve seen teams be successful with different models,” Schmitz explained. “But one thing I think we are proud of with this offseason and a lot of our moves and our acquisitions is we’ve gotten bigger. We’ve gotten longer. We’ve gotten taller. We’ve gotten rangier. We feel we’ve gotten more athletic and more skilled, creating more space for our primary ball handlers and creators to operate.”
“I don’t think it’s exact science,” Schmitz continued. “There are different ways to win, but we feel we’ve gotten bigger and more skilled for sure.”
Schmitz said Dallas studies roster trends around the NBA and internationally while looking for ways to improve its lineups and add talent.
He also said Flagg has spent the summer working in the Mavericks’ gym. Dallas believes the roster is in a good place to help maximize him in Year 2.
Dallas Mavericks Add Morez Johnson Jr., Sergio de Larrea
Dallas used the No. 9 pick on Morez Johnson Jr.. In his season under May at Michigan, Johnson averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. He earned second-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors.
Later in the first round, Dallas moved from No. 30 to No. 25 for the draft rights to Sergio de Larrea. The Los Angeles Lakers made the pick before his rights went through the New York Knicks to Dallas.
With Valencia last season, the 20-year-old guard from Valladolid, Spain, was voted Liga ACB Best Young Player.
Schmitz came away from Summer League with different takeaways on the two first-round additions. Johnson’s motor, toughness, versatility, and offensive skill stood out. With de Larrea, it was the playmaking.
“Really proud of how they performed,” Schmitz said. “With Morez, it’s been great to just be around him more, have him around the facility — the level of care factor, the motor, the toughness, the versatility, the ability to guard multiple positions, and then the offensive skill level as well. So really excited about what we’ve seen from him thus far.”
“And then with Sergio, I think the playmaking really, really stood out — the lob passing, the IQ, the feel, the versatility to play on and off the ball,” Schmitz continued. “Both guys we’re very excited about and proud of how they performed in Vegas.”
Dallas has not set de Larrea’s role for his first season. Schmitz said the Mavericks will continue evaluating him through training camp and into the season.
Zaccharie Risacher, Santi Aldama Arrive In Trades
Dallas acquired Zaccharie Risacher from the Atlanta Hawks on July 19. The three-team deal sent Luguentz Dort from the Oklahoma City Thunder to Atlanta, along with Ryan Nembhard and a 2027 second-round pick from Dallas.
Atlanta had selected Risacher first overall in 2024. He averaged 9.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 67 games last season.
In the six-team trade, Dallas received Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser, and the draft rights to Tarik Biberović.
Khris Middleton and a 2033 second-round pick went to the Washington Wizards. Memphis received AJ Johnson, a top-20 protected 2030 first-round pick, and a 2029 second-round pick.
The six-team construction required Dallas to stay in contact with several front offices around the league.
“Just constant conversations with counterparts around the league, and just trying to figure out how to make it all work,” Schmitz said. “We’re thankful to have a lot of really smart people in the NBA. It was somewhat of a complex one, but a deal we felt — and again, improved our talent base, added some more skills, some more size. A lot of moving parts with a six-team deal, but glad we got it done.”
Later, Biberović signed a two-year, $6 million contract with a team option for 2027-28.
Kyrie Irving Returns To A Crowded Depth Chart
Dallas has 16 players on standard contracts. The regular-season limit is 15.
Kyrie Irving has not played since March 3, 2025, when he tore the ACL in his left knee against the Sacramento Kings. Dallas ruled him out for all of last season on Feb. 18. In 50 games before the injury in 2024-25, Irving averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.
Schmitz said the Mavericks handle injury histories case by case rather than using one rule across the roster.
“I think it’s case-by-case, and that’s why it’s our job to have the best group possible to help support the players, no matter what they’re dealing with,” Schmitz said. “It’s a long season, and with 82 games, being able to provide the best support for the group is important to us.”
“But no, I don’t think it’s a hard, fast rule,” Schmitz continued. “Each case is different. Every injury is different. And so that’s how we’re treating things.”
Cooper Flagg won Rookie of the Year in April with 56 of 100 first-place votes. He averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 70 starts while shooting 46.8% from the field.
On Aug. 2, the Mavericks extended Naji Marshall on a three-year, $52.2 million deal running through 2029-30.
Klay Thompson enters the final year of his contract at $17.5 million. Thompson shot 38.3% from 3-point range in 69 games last season. Max Christie shot 40.4% on 5.8 attempts per game across 77 games.
The regular season starts Oct. 21 in Houston. Tip-off against the Houston Rockets is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.
