Dallas Locks In Risacher Through 2027-28

The Mavericks exercised the fourth-year team option on Zaccharie Risacher's rookie contract Wednesday, guaranteeing the forward $17.4 million for the 2027-28 season. The move was straightforward roster management — teams have a narrow window to act on such options — but it lands as a clear signal that Dallas views Risacher as part of whatever it is building around its young core.

The decision comes during a bumpy early stretch that has included losses to Houston and San Antonio, a shoulder sprain to Cooper Flagg, and ongoing front-office transition with CEO Rick Welts stepping down. Picking up Risacher's option doesn't fix any of that, but it does take one piece of the roster picture off the table.

Santi Aldama, meanwhile, could return to the active roster as soon as this week after working out with the Texas Legends, which would give Dallas a bit more forward depth. The center position remains the team's most pressing structural gap, with Moussa Cisse the only rotation big logging meaningful minutes.