Masai Ujiri's vision for the Mavericks is exactly what Zaccharie Risacher needs

Dallas Mavericks president Masai Ujiri is all about developing his young players during his first season with the team, and that's exactly what Zaccharie Risacher needs to grow after a disappointing second season with the Atlanta Hawks.

Risacher was benched in three of the Atlanta Hawks' six playoff games last season, but Dallas' new vision and future-facing approach will help Risacher improve steadily rather than expect him to be ready for playoff action as a second-year player. He needed a team that would be patient with him, and Dallas is a great spot for him to be himself and get a fresh start.

Masai Ujiri is prioritizing letting the young players play

Ujiri opened up about his thoughts on the team and their philosophy ahead of the 2026-27 season in an episode of "Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective," and he and Dusty May's plan for developing the young players lines up with what Risacher needs to have a bounce-back year.

"We are grooming young guys and we are going to let them play and let them grow," Ujiri said. "That's very important for us."

Dallas' franchise cornerstone, Cooper Flagg, is 19 years old, so it makes sense that the Mavs want to give their young players real minutes rather than expecting them to fully develop in practice and then be ready when their number is called. Playing young players consistent NBA minutes is the best way for them to grow, and Risacher has the chance to be part of the rotation right away.

Why Dallas is a better situation for Risacher compared to Atlanta

Risacher was in Atlanta's rotation last season and even started 46 games, but Quin Snyder's trust in him steadily decreased as the season went on. This resulted in Zacch being a non-factor during the NBA Playoffs, and Risacher was frustrated with his role.

Now, ahead of his second season, he has a head coach who is excited about him and a team president who wants the team to play the young players and allow them to spread their wings. Risacher is only 21 years old, and while he hasn't lived up to the normal expectations of a No. 1 pick, he still deserves some more time to grow rather than being relegated to a limited bench role in the middle of his second season.

Ujiri, May, and a young Mavericks team should help instill a new level of confidence in Risacher's game, and the belief that the franchise has in him has already been on display through two preseason games. The 6-foot-9 forward has been in the starting lineup for both games, even starting over Max Christie in the second game.

Preseason lineups should be taken with a grain of salt, but things are lining up for Risacher to have a real role in Dallas. He put up 16 points, three rebounds, one steal, and one block in their most recent game, and he's in a great spot to put last season behind him.

Risacher needed to be on a team that was fine with some growing pains to reach his full potential, and taking Ujiri's quote into account, the Mavericks are going to roll with the punches and see what this young core is made of.

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