The Mavericks' 56th pick will spend 2026-27 with Lokomotiv Kuban in Russia, his agent said Tuesday. Dallas holds his draft rights while he is overseas.
DALLAS — Vsevolod Ishchenko will play next season for Lokomotiv Kuban in Russia rather than sign with the Dallas Mavericks, his agent said Monday.
Nafiset Udychak represents the 21-year-old wing. She sent a longer statement to All Things Mavs on Tuesday and asked that it be passed along to Mavericks fans.
Udychak mentioned that the year in Russia is "the best step for Seva's long-term growth." She explained that the arrangement provides him with significant playing time, ample responsibility, and opportunities to enhance every aspect of his game.
Udychak mentioned that Ishchenko's feelings about Dallas remain unchanged. She noted he loved his time with the organization, appreciated the warm reception, and is still driven to secure an NBA chance. Udychak emphasized that this year should be viewed as "another year of development, not a change in the destination."
Udychak closed the statement by asking that Mavericks fans be told how grateful Ishchenko is for the support they showed him during Summer League. "It meant a lot to him," Udychak said.
The No. 56 pick changed hands twice on the night of the draft, June 24. Los Angeles sent cash to Chicago for the selection, then sent Ishchenko's rights to Dallas for cash without using a pick of its own. Shams Charania of ESPN reported the second deal. ESPN's final pre-draft board had Ishchenko 54th.
Dallas came out of the draft with four players. Morez Johnson Jr. went ninth. Sergio De Larrea arrived after the Mavericks moved up from No. 30 in a trade with New York. Tobi Lawal went 48th and signed a two-way contract.
Ishchenko is under contract with Lokomotiv Kuban. NBA rules prevent a team from paying an overseas buyout for a player intended for a two-way deal. The Mavericks have 16 standard contracts, with two-way slots assigned to Lawal, John Poulakidas, and Jett Howard. Dallas also matched a two-year, $4.7 million offer sheet for Moussa Cisse from the Knicks.
"Lokomotiv Kuban and Dallas have built a strong working relationship," Udychak explained. "The clubs are in constant communication and share the same vision for the player's development."
Ishchenko played all five Summer League games in Las Vegas and averaged 9.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. He averaged 3.4 turnovers, along with 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks.
Dallas wrapped up playing in Las Vegas with a 110-88 win over New York. Ishchenko scored 15 points, with three rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block on 5-of-8 shooting. The Mavericks went 3-2 in Las Vegas.
Lokomotiv Kuban played him 23.6 minutes a night last season, 47 games and 22 starts. He averaged 8.7 points and 4.6 rebounds. His assists came to 2.0 a game, his steals 1.3, his blocks 0.7. Two of the 47 were double-doubles. He shot 51.0% from the field. From 3-point range he shot 44.3%, and at the line he went 127-of-161.
Lokomotiv went 30-17 in those games. The club took bronze in the VTB United League. The league named Ishchenko to its All-Star team and picked him as its Young Player of the Year.
Ishchenko was born in Rostov-on-Don on Feb. 10, 2005, and joined the Lokomotiv system at 15. In 2023-24, playing for Lokomotiv Kuban-2 in the VTB Youth United League, he averaged 16.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists over 40 games. September 2024 brought the move to the senior roster. That season he averaged 3.3 points in 22 games.
Last summer brought his debut with the Russian national team. He scored 7 points in a friendly against Iran on July 30 and 4 points against Egypt days later.
No player had been drafted out of a Russian league since Cleveland took Sergey Karasev in 2013. The club also noted that Alexander Kaun went 56th in 2008.
Dallas holds Ishchenko's draft rights while he plays overseas. The Mavericks have until opening night to get to 15 standard contracts.
