Mavericks' confidence in Zaccharie Risacher becomes even clearer after new report

When the Dallas Mavericks acquired Zaccharie Risacher from the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team trade that sent Lu Dort to Atlanta, many fans and media members assumed Dallas was helping facilitate the trade to get Dort to the Hawks. The Mavericks had interest in Risacher, as he was in some trade rumors to Dallas last season, but it seemed like this move was more about Dort than it was about Risacher.

Instead, a recent report from NBA guru Zach Lowe speaks volumes about the confidence Dallas had in trading for Risacher. The Mavericks weren't the third team in this deal between OKC and Atlanta. They're the ones who pursued Risacher.

"From what I had heard, Dallas was knocking on the door about Risacher when it seemed like the Hawks might be amenable, and they had to find a third team because the Mavs did not have much of what the Hawks would've wanted," Lowe said. "In came Oklahoma City, who is now under the second apron."

Mavs weren't a facilitator, they were the driving force behind the trade

With as big a name as Dort is in comparison to Risacher, nobody would've thought this was the case at first glance. Now clear that Masai Ujiri and company were the main driving force in trading for Risacher, and there are plenty of reasons that justify Dallas' position here.

Risacher was the No. 1 overall pick just two years ago, and while he's been labeled as a bust by some, he's flashed some potential in his first two NBA seasons, even if he hasn't lived up to the hype of a typical No. 1 pick. Risacher is a solid slasher and athlete, and has the tools to become a dynamic defender who can guard multiple positions.

He's shot above 35 percent from downtown in both of his first two NBA seasons as well, and still projects to be a high-end role player as his game progresses, even if he doesn't become an All-Star. However, Dallas likely feels there's some untapped potential in the 21-year-old's game still, as they might think he could become Cooper Flagg's co-star on the wing in the coming seasons.

Mavericks clearly believe Risacher has untapped potential

Risacher was on a Hawks team that was very heavy on guards, so perhaps he can get some increased reps on the ball as a two-guard once he comes to Dallas, as the Mavericks are extremely overloaded on wings, even more so after adding Risacher. There's no doubt that Risacher doesn't address any immediate need for the Mavericks, which gives even more credence to the potential this front office thinks he can capitalize upon in a new situation.

Teams rarely give up on a No. 1 overall pick so quickly as Atlanta did here, even if Risacher was average in comparison to most No. 1 picks through his first two seasons in the league. However, this could be a case of one man's trash is another man's treasure, as the Mavericks only had to give up Ryan Nembhard and a second-round pick to get this deal done, which is an absolute steal regardless of how high one is on Risacher.

Dallas' new brass is clearly high on the youngster, or else they wouldn't have called Atlanta to acquire yet another wing. Dallas is not focused on positional imbalance at the moment, as a move like this signals they want to get some young talent in the building and see who gels best with Flagg, so it will be very interesting to see how well the two back-to-back No. 1 picks play together.

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