Mavericks’ roster turnover means new opportunities for everyone

From trades to a waived contract to draft selections and free-agency signings, the Dallas Mavericks have been busy this offseason. While the Mavericks seem to be done making deals this offseason, they'll go into the year with a revamped roster, each looking to prove themselves.

With several new faces on the team and plenty of talented players, everyone on the roster should have a shot to prove they deserve a bigger role.

The 2026-27 Mavericks will sport a revamped roster

The Mavericks' current fifteen-man roster returns just eight players who played minutes for the team last season (plus Kyrie Irving, who returns after missing all of last season with an ACL tear). They also return just four players from their 2024 NBA Finals team, including two players, Kyrie Irving and Daniel Gafford, who have been in some trade rumors this offseason.

The Mavericks are still shifting from the old group brought in to help Luka Dončić to the new core being built around Cooper Flagg. This new era features a Mavericks front office inclined to take risks on high-upside players with good potential. That means it may not be until halfway into the season that the Mavericks know what they have with this roster.

With current and future roster shakeups in mind, few players have locked-in positions and playing time. This lets almost anyone on the roster step up when they get the opportunity and show why they deserve a bigger role under Dusty May.

The new-look Mavericks offer a path to more playing time

The Mavericks have the type of flexibility and fairly low expectations this season that allow them to experiment and determine what kind of team they need to build and develop around Flagg long-term.

Currently, the team has a logjam at center and a plethora of depth at wing, but between injuries and the desire to give young talent the opportunity to flourish, everyone should get their chance at playing time.

This year's Mavericks team could realistically field a dozen different starting lineups as they experiment under new coach Dusty May.

More roster turnover could be expected this season, but not without players showing they can step up to fill the holes left by those trades. Irving and Gafford seem the most likely to be moved if this summer's trade rumors prove to be true, but other trades could include moving on from either Max Christie or Zaccharie Risacher if one outshines the other and they show they can't reasonably share the court together.

Risacher himself is in an interesting position this season, with something to prove after failing to fully live up to the expectations that come with being the No. 1 overall pick. He should get opportunities across several different lineups, but likely needs to prove himself a bit by October 31, which is the Mavericks' deadline to pick up his $17.4 million team option for 2027-28.

The rookies should have opportunities to shine early

Both first-round draft picks, Morez Johnson Jr. and Sergio De Larrea, could find their way to some early playing time if players like Kyrie Irving and Santi Aldama are still returning to full fitness at the beginning of the season.

Both players offer unique skill sets that the Mavericks will want to feature early, and in a roster built around Flagg, giving the young guys playing time is a must.

While neither will likely be vying for a starting spot out of the gate, both could prove to be the future of their positions and will likely have the opportunity to show that this season.

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