09/12/2026, 12:53 AM

Competing for backup role in 2026-27

After spending the first three years of his career with the Pistons, Sasser will get a fresh start in Dallas. The 25-year-old logged several career lows in 2025-26, averaging 5.2 points, 2.0 assists, 1.0 rebounds and 0.5 steals in 12.0 minutes per showing across 38 regular-season outings (five starts). Although he shot a career-worst 39.0 percent from the field last season, Sasser connected on a career-high 41.5 percent of his three-point tries on 2.8 attempts per contest. He'll have a much clearer path to a consistent role with the Mavericks, as he'll presumably compete with rookie Sergio de Larrea for playing time off the bench behind Irving. While Cooper Flagg should continue to take on significant ball-handling duties, Sasser will likely have the opportunity to carve out a meaningful role, especially if he impresses during training camp and the preseason.

09/10/2026, 12:05 AM

Ramping up toward return

Irving suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in March 2025 and did not play in the 2025-26 campaign. The veteran point guard has had plenty of time to recover and will enter training camp having played in pickup games this summer. It wouldn't be surprising to see the 34-year-old enter the season on a minutes restriction, though it appears likely he'll be ready to play by Opening Night. Irving appeared in 50 regular-season games in 2024-25 before suffering the knee injury, averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.8 combined steals-plus-blocks in 36.1 minutes per contest.

09/02/2026, 7:05 PM

Preparing for first NBA season

De Larrea made the most of his playing time Tuesday. The rookie first-round pick has parts of six seasons of international playing experience under his belt, but he'll likely require a standout camp to have any chance of challenging the likes of Marcus Sasser, Zaccharie Risacher and Caleb Martin for playing time off the bench with the Mavericks to begin 2026-27.