Mavericks need a third option to take pressure off Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving

The NBA season is less than a week away, and Dallas Mavericks fans are excited to see Kyrie Irving take the court alongside Cooper Flagg for the first time in a regular-season game. It's been a year and a half since Kyrie took the court, and his return is finally here. His presence should elevate the Mavs' offense and solve some of the lingering issues from last season, such as shot creation and 3-point shooting.

However, Irving's return comes with a ton of questions. Can he and Flagg carry Dallas into the postseason after missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons? Does Dallas have a reliable supporting cast to help its stars? Who will be the next man up after Flagg and Irving?

These questions, especially the final one, reiterate the need for someone to step up and give Flagg and Irving consistent support as a third option.

Dallas needs a third option behind Irving and Flagg

Last season, the Mavericks relied heavily on Flagg to help carry the load. The 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year was thrown into the fire right away, as he was expected to carry a franchise that was two seasons removed from the NBA Finals.

This wasn't an easy job. Flagg started the year without Irving, as it was unclear when the nine-time All-Star would return. Plus, his former teammate Anthony Davis appeared in just 20 games. The clear takeaway was that Dallas didn't have consistent support to help Flagg win games.

For example, Max Christie, Brandon Williams, Klay Thompson, and P.J. Washington led the team in scoring throughout the season. Yet, no one truly stepped up to give the 19-year-old reliable support. They couldn't string together consistent performances, and no one cemented themselves as the No. 2 option behind Coop.

Irving's return, though, should alleviate the pressure on the young forward. The issue is that Dallas will need more than Irving to turn things around. Someone within the organization must provide consistent support and step up as their third option.

What about the other No. 1 pick on the roster?

One ideal candidate who can take the pressure off Irving and Flagg is Zaccharie Risacher. The former top pick is a feasible answer to the Mavs' dilemma. He comes to Dallas with a fresh start, and his past numbers make him a strong candidate to become the team's third option.

Remember his rookie year; he was a do-it-all player. Risacher averaged 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and shot 45.8 percent from the field. He could beat defenders from multiple angles. The former Hawk could use his length inside to score or shoot the ball from the outside. Yet, his biggest accolade was finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting.

One thing, though, that gets overlooked is his ability to fit alongside a primary playmaker, something he didn't get to do much in Atlanta. He should be a good fit alongside Dallas' two stars, especially with Irving returning. It's easy to see Risacher as a complementary wing for the team, and playing with two stars should open up the game for him. Plus, it helps that he won't have to dominate possessions with the team's roster.

Mavericks have other options if Risacher doesn't step up

Another potential third option for Dallas is Naji Marshall. The veteran forward’s versatility lets him play multiple positions, including point guard, giving the Mavericks flexibility to use him in several ways. Naji has proven to be a reliable passer who can facilitate the offense, push the pace in transition, attack defenders in the paint, and create opportunities for open teammates. His ability to score and create plays makes him a valuable supporting piece.

Plus, veterans like Washington and Christie might also be ideal third options. Both players have seen time in the starting lineup and on the bench during their Mavs careers. Their experience makes them a valuable asset to take charge as the next man up. They're established scorers who can turn it on at any moment.

So, the vision is clear. Dallas needs a third player to step up and be a consistent option. They have plenty of options to be the next man up after Flagg and Irving, but someone needs to separate themselves from the pack.

The question is who will take over when Dallas needs them?

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