Dusty May Details Zaccharie Risacher’s Role for Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May is building his rotation around specific, high-effort actions from second-year forward Zaccharie Risacher rather than waiting for the 2024 No. 1 overall pick to find a scoring rhythm.

Following a 101-97 preseason loss to the New Orleans Pelicans at American Airlines Center on Wednesday, May outlined exactly how the 21-year-old wing fits into a roster designed to support Cooper Flagg and a returning Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks sit 1-2 in exhibition play ahead of the 2026-27 regular season.

“The things that he’s been able to hang his hat on consistently: The offensive rebounding piece and running the lanes in transition,” May said, according to video shared by The Smoking Cuban’s Noah Weber. “Him as an off-ball cutter. He made open shots. He just looked extremely comfortable. Just picking his spots, understanding who’s on the floor each and every possession. He’s someone who can impact the game in a lot of ways.”

That defined utility represents a sharp pivot from Risacher’s rookie campaign in Atlanta. Selected first overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, he averaged 10.8 points while shooting 35.5% from three-point range for the Hawks, struggling to assert himself as a primary option on a veteran-heavy roster. Dallas acquired him in July through a three-team trade involving the Hawks and the Oklahoma City Thunder, signaling a willingness to bet on his defensive versatility and physical tools over immediate shot creation.

Against the Pelicans, the statistical profile reflected that ongoing transition. Risacher logged six points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one block across 23 minutes. His shooting remained erratic — 3-of-11 from the field and 0-of-7 from beyond the arc. Yet May’s public endorsement focused entirely on movement, spacing, and effort-based metrics, suggesting the coaching staff views his shooting variance as a secondary concern during integration.

The emphasis on off-ball cutting and transition lane-running aligns directly with how Dallas intends to deploy its backcourt. Irving, working his way back from an ACL tear, commands constant defensive attention in pick-and-roll scenarios, creating weak-side gaps. Flagg, entering his sophomore year after a highly productive rookie season, operates as a primary initiator. Risacher’s ability to read those two players and attack vacated spaces without needing the ball in his hands solves a spacing problem that plagued his minutes in Atlanta.

May’s approach also mirrors a broader trend among NBA development staffs handling former top picks who did not immediately dominate. Rather than forcing isolation volume to build confidence, coaches increasingly channel young wings into energy roles — offensive rebounding, defensive switching, and sprinting the floor — to guarantee playing time while mechanical shooting adjustments happen behind the scenes.

The preseason has not been without complications for Dallas beyond the perimeter. Center Moussa Cisse exited the Pelicans game with an ankle injury, adding uncertainty to the frontcourt depth chart. May also addressed lingering questions regarding veteran Dwight Powell’s status heading into the regular season, indicating roster decisions remain fluid.

Dallas concludes its preseason schedule before opening the 2026-27 regular season next week.