Dallas exercised its 2027-28 option on Zaccharie Risacher, and the outlets covering the club spent the day after a 120-96 rout of Oklahoma City debating his value, Kyrie Irving's place beside Cooper Flagg and Santi Aldama's return. The facts back most of it, with one hole: no price for the option has surfaced against a $197.9M payroll.
Risacher Earns His Year
ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Hoops Rumors and Mavs.com all reported that Dallas exercised the 2027-28 option on Risacher's deal. The Smoking Cuban called it a no-brainer that shows belief in his future, and Mavs Moneyball framed it as the team not minding paying a little more, under a 'He's a cyborg' headline. A day earlier The Smoking Cuban wrote that Dallas can't keep him off the floor despite ugly offense. Against the Thunder the offense was anything but ugly: 5-6 from the floor, 2-3 from three, 13 points and a +16 off the bench. One night doesn't end that argument, but the minutes are real. What nobody can settle yet is cost. Dallas carries $197.9M against a $200.4M tax line, no dollar figure for the option has surfaced, and so how much of that cushion it eats is unknown.
Star Versus Soul
Eric Montoya of The Smoking Cuban argued that Flagg is the star but Irving remains the soul, and ESPN's MacMahon reported that Irving has found new purpose alongside Flagg. The usage case belongs to Flagg: 26 points, 8 assists and zero turnovers in 33 minutes against Oklahoma City, two nights after 29 points and 11 assists at Miami. The impact case leans toward Irving: 15 points on 6-14, two steals, two blocked shots and a +25 in 27 minutes, the best mark on the floor for Dallas. Both readings hold up. The catch is health. Irving drew a day-to-day knee tag on October 27 and got cleared October 28, so the soul argument depends on a 34-year-old staying on the court.
Aldama and the Front Office
Mavs Moneyball reported that Aldama could join the active roster this week. That fits his estimated return of October 30, Friday's home date with unbeaten Houston, though he is still listed out with a right knee issue. His return would add a frontcourt body while Dereck Lively II (foot) and Sergio de Larrea (knee) sit until at least November 2, and it could trim the 26.0 minutes a night Moussa Cisse has logged over the last five games. Off the floor, Hoops Rumors reported that CEO Rick Welts will retire with Casson chosen to succeed him, and Mavs.com ran Dusty May's view that the unified front stays strong. The change doesn't touch the roster or the cap.
Did the Mavericks pick up Zaccharie Risacher's option?
Yes. ESPN, Hoops Rumors and Mavs.com reported on October 28 that Dallas exercised the 2027-28 option on his deal.
When is Santi Aldama expected back for Dallas?
He is listed out with a right knee issue, with an estimated return of October 30 against Houston. Mavs Moneyball reported he could join the active roster this week.
