The Dallas Mavericks made their first splash in free agency by acquiring stretch big man Santi Aldama in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, which sees the Mavs send developmental guard AJ Johnson, a protected first-round pick (via Golden State, protected 1-20) and two future second-round picks.

As the week unfolds, there is other news to get to around the Mavs, who under the leadership of Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz, suddenly look like a destination franchise again with the glimmering star Cooper Flagg headlining a promising roster.

Before any true talks of contention swell, there remains a lot of work to be done, especially with retooling the frontcourt that now welcomes two of Ujiri's "guys" in Aldama and first-round rookie Morez Johnson Jr.

We take a seat at the Mavs Roundtable to jump through all the news and updates.

READ MORE: NBA Trade Idea: Can Mavs Turn Blazers Guard Problem into Dallas Gain?

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Insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports that the Mavericks are "expected to secure" Willie Green as an assistant coach on Dusty May's staff, bringing the sideline premium experience for a first-year NBA head coach.

Green is formally the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, where he's spent the previous five seasons. He compiled a career record of 150-190, and after a rough 2-10 start to last season, was fired by New Orleans in late November.

The former NBA journeyman got his coaching career started in Golden State, and as Stein notes, the Warriors "hoped to bring him back for a second stint on Steve Kerr’s staff but May’s jump to the NBA gave Green two strong options."

"Former Bucks coach Adrian Griffin and Heat consultant Noah LaRoche have likewise been mentioned as expected candidates for May's bench in Dallas," Stein adds.

LaRoche was among the candidates in Dallas' head coaching search and took part in the monthlong interview process before May was ultimately lured away from his national-title-winning program at Michigan.

This is where, even in a top assistant role for a brand new head coach, it's clear that Ujiri and Flagg's influence on what might be possible in Dallas is already making the Mavs an intriguing spot.

When May was officially introduced on Monday, he spoke about what his staff might look like when it comes to experience.

"There's gonna be a little bit of a college flavor. There's gonna be NBA experience. There's gonna be some retention," he said. "I don't know exactly what any of it looks like yet.

"The biggest difference is the size of the staff in the NBA and the amount of manpower we have to get things done. We're gonna be very intentional and thorough to make sure everyone fits well together. Each guy complements each other. We all have the same value system. We're gonna be a group that's here for the players 100%."

Dallas' late first-round draft pick Sergio De Larrea of Spain is reportedly en route to the United States, plans to sign a rookie contract with the Mavericks, and intends to compete in the NBA Summer League for the franchise in Las Vegas, beginning on Friday, July 3.

The initial thought was that de Larrea could be a "draft and stash" for Dallas, meaning the Mavericks would allow him to continue developing overseas before eventually bringing him stateside. 

While no final decision has been made yet regarding the Valladolid, Spain, native's future, steps are being taken that could indicate de Larrea joining the Mavs as soon as this upcoming season. Read more on that here.

For the rookies, Johnson, second-rounder Tobi Lawal, and trade-get Vsevolod Ishchenko are all likely to be included. Dallas has yet to release a full Summer League roster, as it does not begin play until July 9.

As for Moussa Cisse, the former two-way rookie from last year whose role increased and restructured into a standard contract, is reportedly not going to participate in Summer League. Cisse remains a restricted free agent with Dallas this offseason and will not play unsigned.

Ryan Nembhard endured a similar rookie season in the NBA with the Mavs, though he is expected to be a prominent figure in the Mavs' Summer League team again this week.

That goes for John Poulakidas, as well, who is expected to be on a two-way deal again this season after his mid-season acquisition from the G League. The sharp-shooting "Poula-3-das" will be in Vegas.

Dallas Mavericks Summer League Schedule

July 9 - 6 p.m. CT on ESPN - vs. Golden State Warriors (against May/Johnson's former Wolverine teammate Yaxel Lendeborg)

July 11 - 9 p.m. CT on ESPN - vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Bronny James vs. Flagg was box-office television last summer. Don't think that'll be the case for either side this year)

July 13 - 6 p.m. CT on ESPN - vs. Memphis Grizzlies (now featuring No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer and ... AJ Johnson?)

July 16 - 3 p.m. CT on Prime - vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (against Michigan's third lottery draftee, big man Aday Mara)

Along with the news breaking of Dallas trading for Aldama, Stein reports that a deal is in place for the Mavericks to acquire Detroit Pistons guard Marcus Sasser, a DFW native and Houston alum who has flashed scoring and playmaking in his young NBA career.

The Sasser deal is largely a mystery in mainstream media circulations likely due to the NBA's moratorium rules that make most free agency transactions this week unofficial until next week, when teams can begin announcing moves on Monday, July 6, when the new league year opens, according to Stein.

And might there be more?

"Dallas is using its own trade mechanism to make the money work," says our colleague Grant Afseth about these moves. "The Mavericks are absorbing Aldama’s salary through a $20.3 million trade exception created when they sent Anthony Davis to Washington [Wizards] in February."

Dallas can continue that recycling by taking advantage of the exception in Jaden Hardy's contract after he was included in the trade with Washington.

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