Mavericks can't let Max Christie's shooting overshadow Zaccharie Risacher's upside

Through two preseason games, the Dallas Mavericks have already begun tinkering with their starting five. Perhaps the most interesting development is Zaccharie Risacher starting alongside the first unit in both contests, even with Max Christie, who started last season, also in the mix. While Christie might be the more complementary fit next to Cooper Flagg and Co., and the better shooter, the Mavericks shouldn't let that overshadow Risacher's upside.

As a former No. 1 overall pick, Risacher still has plenty of untapped upside. He hasn't exactly impressed in his first two NBA seasons and even regressed in year two, but a change of scenery could be just what the 21-year-old wing needs to get his career back on track.

Max Christie has already proven his value as a floor-spacer

Of course, even a change of scenery did wonders for the former 35th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Yes, that's Christie, who went from averaging 4.2 points per game with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023-24 to 11.2 in his first half-season with the Mavericks and 12.3 last year. He's improved in three straight seasons and has proven to be an ideal fit alongside Flagg as a floor-spacer.

Christie drilled 2.3 3-pointers per game at a 40.4 percent clip. He was one of only two Mavericks to make more than 100 3-pointers (the other being Klay Thompson, who is no longer in Dallas) and the only Maverick to shoot over 40.0 percent from deep. In other words, Christie was a crucial part of Dallas' offense.

But don't let Christie's shooting deter you from what Risacher brings to the table. The 6-foot-8 wing adds much-needed versatility to the Mavericks' lineup.

Zaccharie Risacher offers the Mavericks something Christie can't

He projects as a plus defender as he develops, can still knock down 3-pointers at an above-average clip, and excels at the little things, such as offensive rebounding. Perhaps most importantly, his untapped potential is crucial to Dallas' future, especially considering the team's lack of draft capital over the next few years.

Dallas doesn't control its own first-round pick until 2031, making Risacher almost like another first-round selection for the Mavericks. After all, he's just a year older than Dallas' first-round pick from this past June's draft, Morez Johnson Jr.

But it's not just about Risacher's place in Dallas' future. Christie might be the better shooter, but Risacher is the more versatile player, and he's already showing what that versatility can look like. The 21-year-old wing has displayed a strong transition game and a surprisingly keen sense for offensive rebounding in his short time in Dallas.

Again, Christie might be a premier marksman, yet that's most of what he offers. He doesn't create many of his own shots, averaged just 2.0 assists per game despite playing for a guard-depleted Mavericks squad, and posted only 1.0 stocks per game.

It's not like Risacher is the antithesis of Christie, either. More than half of his field goals came off assists; he averaged just 1.1 assists per game last season; and he posted 1.6 stocks per game. But we, and likely the Mavericks, know there's more to come from Risacher. He wasn't the first overall pick for nothing. That has to mean something.

While Christie is a proven starter in Dallas and has already shown what a knockdown shooter he is, the Mavericks can't let his reliability overshadow Risacher's potential as a long-term fit in the starting five.

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