The Mavericks did not practice Zachary RyzakerInitial $17.4M option for 2027/28 at the same time they picked up Cooper Flaggearlier this month, but the team still has until Monday to do so. And how Christian Clark of The Athletic writes, the former No. 1 overall pick is doing his best to convince the club that the option should be exercised.
While Rizacher has struggled with his shooting through four games, making just 30.8% of his attempts from the floor and 17.6% from beyond the three-point line, he ranks second in the NBA with 16 steals (steals plus blocks). He has eight steals and eight blocks this season.
“Now Zack Finds Himself” head coach Dusty May said. “He’s still so young. We really, really appreciate and value those plays. No matter how many missed shots he had, he had twice as many turnovers and blocks and steals and rebounds.”
If the Mavericks do decide to pick up Rizacher’s option, his 27/28 salary will become fully guaranteed and he will be eligible for a rookie scale extension in the 2027 offseason. If not, he will reach unrestricted free agency next summer.
We have more from the Southwest:
- Rockets center Alperen Sengun He is expected to miss some time due to a past issue, head coach Made by Udok said Wednesday during appearance on SportsTalk 790 in Houston. Sengun had already been ruled out of Wednesday’s contest in Milwaukee with lower back soreness, but Udoka suggested the big man could face a multi-game absence after straining his back during Monday’s game. “After the game (on Monday) they did a little imaging and saw a slight strain” said Udoka. “… Hopefully it’s short-term, a few games at most. Looking forward to him coming back soon.”
- Former NBA big man Omer Yurtseven has not signed a training camp contract with any team this summer or fall, but is participating in training camp with RocketsG League affiliate, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Eurohoops notes. Yurtseven has four years of NBA experience and played in 122 regular season games, including nine with Golden State last season.
- After that Grizzlies used their exclusion in a full room to sign the guard You, Jerome during the free agent period in 2025, he was limited to just 15 appearances in the 2025/26 season, mainly due to a shin injury. But Jerome has played well in those 15 games and is off to a strong start this fall, averaging 29.8 points and 6.3 assists per game for a 4-0 Memphis team and earning Player of the Week honors. According to the head coach Tuomas Iisala (Link to video on Twitter via Grind City Media’s Michael Wallace ), Jerome’s results this season are a testament to the work he put in during the offseason and preseason. “In what form did he appear at the camp” – said Iisalo. “He put in a lot of work last spring and this summer. … He put himself in a great situation. The confidence he plays with is incredible.”
