Mavericks' trade for Zaccharie Risacher sparks a problem only a trade will fix

After trading for Zaccharie Risacher, the Dallas Mavericks have a problem. Their wing logjam is even more obvious now. At this point, making a trade is the only thing that will fix this and help them properly balance the roster.

Dallas has way too many forwards on the roster

Losing Ryan Nembhard for Risacher creates a glaring hole in the backcourt, and now, every player on Dallas' roster except for two players is 6-foot-5 or taller. They've sacrificed guard depth for a surplus of wing depth, and it's going to be extremely hard for Dusty May to play everyone.

Risacher, Cooper Flagg, Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Tarik Biberovic, Caleb Martin, P.J. Washington, Morez Johnson Jr., Santi Aldama, Tobi Lawal, and Tyler Smith are all players under contract who can play small or power forward. They likely need to trade at least one of these players before the start of next season.

Dallas trading one of their wings already seemed likely after drafting Johnson Jr. to ensure that there is a clear role waiting for him, and May has another mouth to feed after the team traded Nembhard and a second-round pick for the No. 1 overall pick from the 2024 NBA Draft.

The Mavericks should seek another trade

If the Mavericks want to clear this logjam and provide a clear path to minutes for all of their young wings, a trade is the only way to do this. Max Christie, Risacher, Flagg, Lawal, and Johnson Jr. all need minutes to develop, but the current roster has many veterans who deserve playing time as well.

Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, and P.J. Washington have all been in trade rumors over the past six months, with Thompson being the most likely trade candidate this offseason. The Miami Heat have shown interest in trading for the four-time NBA champion, and it would make sense for both sides to pursue a trade.

Trading Marshall or Washington would make sense as well, but they both remain players that Dallas is fond of. Masai Ujiri has historically valued wings with versatility and length, and Marshall and Washington provide these things at an elite level. Washington's defense, rebounding, and physicality have made him a staple in Dallas' rotation since 2024, and Marshall's slashing, playmaking, and positional versatility have made him a fan-favorite.

Despite this, the Mavs need more playmaking in the backcourt. A lot will be asked of Kyrie Irving with the way the roster is currently constructed, and Sergio De Larrea and Marcus Sasser don't provide enough playmaking on their own to give Dallas' offense the punch it needs.

The Mavericks' lack of guard depth was one of their many weaknesses last season, and trading one of their wings for a guard seems logical. Risacher complicates an already-stacked wing rotation, and a trade seems like the only way to fix this.

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