The Dallas Mavericks are already hitting the same wall that led the Atlanta Hawks to trade Zaccharie Risacher. While Dallas hoped for a smooth transition, the 21-year-old forward is struggling with the same inconsistencies that ended his time in Atlanta.
The preseason numbers show a player still searching for his rhythm. During a recent game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Risacher played 23 minutes but only scored six points. He struggled from the floor, shooting 3-11, and went 0-7 from three-point range, according to Soaring Down South.
The Mavericks face familiar flaws
The issues in Dallas look a lot like the problems in Atlanta. The former Hawk had a hard time attacking the basket without wasting possessions. His tendency to overcommit to outside shots also hurt his impact when his shooting failed. These same weaknesses appeared during the recent match against New Orleans, per Soaring Down South.
Risacher has started all three Dallas preseason games, but his performance has changed in every outing. He even recorded the worst plus/minus among the Dallas starters in that Pelicans game. It is hard to watch a former number one pick struggle to find a consistent role so quickly.
A different approach in Atlanta worked better
The Hawks knew these struggles were coming. Atlanta did not start him right away during his rookie season. Instead, they used him on the bench and slowly increased his playing time to help him get comfortable, according to Soaring Down South. This patient method allowed him to grow, even if the team eventually decided to move on to find veteran help.
Now, the Mavericks are putting him straight into the fire as a starter. This sudden pressure could lead to the same disaster the Hawks avoided during his early months. If Dallas does not manage his minutes carefully, his third year in the league could be very difficult.
The bigger picture for both rosters
The trade changed the landscape for both teams. Atlanta moved Risacher to get a veteran defender for their talented group. Yahoo Sports reported that the Hawks also added players like Aaron Wiggins, Lu Dort, and Dorian Finney-Smith to their roster.
The Hawks are now focused on winning now with a deep rotation. They signed CJ McCollum to a one-year, $21 million extension and re-signed Jock Landale for $14 million, per Yahoo Sports.