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5 Mavericks storylines to watch at training camp in Las Vegas: How will Klay Thompson fit?

Plus, position battles and what to expect from Luka Doncic’s seventh season

Mavericks players are slowly trickling into Dallas as the days dwindle until training camp kicks off at UNLV in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

It was a shortened offseason for the Western Conference champs due to the NBA Finals run. While the anticipation is building for the new season, there are a handful of questions that need to be addressed before the regular season begins Oct. 24 against the San Antonio Spurs.

Here are five storylines to watch as the Mavericks begin their preparation for the regular season:

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Klay Thompson’s fit

Mavericks fans won’t have to wait long to see Klay Thompson in a lineup with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

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The team will hold its annual Fan Jam, otherwise known as an open practice, on Oct. 6 at American Airlines Center. It’ll be one day before the Mavericks host the Memphis Grizzlies to open the preseason.

One of the biggest storylines going into camp is the Mavericks’ blockbuster acquisition of Thompson, who brings his reputation as a sharpshooter to North Texas. How exactly will Thompson fit alongside two ball-dominant players like Doncic and Irving? Expect to see a glimpse in the four-game exhibition slate against the Grizzlies, Utah Jazz, L.A. Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks.

Thompson’s catch-and-shoot ability should complement the Mavericks’ superstar duo well. It’s a role he’s used to from his time with the Warriors, especially since he averaged the most catch-and-shoot field goal attempts in the NBA last season (8.6). With as much defensive attention as Doncic and Irving require, Thompson is sure to get plenty of clean looks to launch 3-pointers.

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Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban recently said Thompson has “a lot to prove” after a bitter ending to his time with the Warriors, and the extra motivation could help Dallas return to the Finals.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic reacts after being called for a foul during the first...
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic reacts after being called for a foul during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Dallas.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

Lucky number 7 for No. 77?

How can Luka Doncic possibly top his sixth and most historic season since entering the NBA?

Winning could help. Doncic became the first player in NBA history to average at least 33.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists for a season in 2023-24. The only accolades left for Doncic to accomplish at this stage of his career is the league’s MVPand, most importantly, that elusive first championship.

Doncic is entering his seventh season with perhaps the deepest team he’s had since he was drafted. And after last season’s run to the Finals, there will be more eyes on Dallas’ 25-year-old All-Star.

Slovenia didn’t qualify for the Paris Olympics, so Doncic should be well rested despite his busy summer that also included participation in Goran Dragic’s Farewell Game and Jordan Brand’s tour of Shanghai and Beijing.

Doncic will have more offensive support due to Thompson’s arrival, and the Mavericks added depth to the roster by adding Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes and Spencer Dinwiddie. If the Mavericks can keep Doncic fresh throughout the regular season, it could lead to substantial results during the playoffs.

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Kyrie Irving’s broken hand

There hasn’t been an official update on Kyrie Irving since it was revealed that he underwent surgery to repair a broken left hand, suffered during an offseason training session. It is unclear if Irving has been cleared to play five-on-five, and an update on his status will likely be revealed during Monday’s media day session.

Despite a lack of a recovery timeline, surgery from fractured hands can take four to eight weeks to fully recover. Spurs guard Chris Paul missed 21 games — nearly two months — last season with a fractured left hand.

Irving’s health could be the difference in team chemistry during training camp as the Mavericks integrate Thompson into the lineup.

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Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) reacts after throwing down a third quarter dunk...
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) reacts after throwing down a third quarter dunk against Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) during Game 4 of the NBA Finals at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, June 14, 2024.(Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)

Battle between bigs

There will be several position battles throughout the course of training camp, including backup point guard and the final guaranteed roster spot, but the starting center appears to be the storyline drawing the most attention.

Daniel Gafford, traded to Dallas last season, started the final 19 games of the regular season and all 22 games of the postseason. The sixth-year center leads a group of bigs that includes Dereck Lively II, Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell. Lively’s breakout season in his first year resulted in all-rookie honors.

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Lively averaged 22 minutes per game in the playoffs, while Gafford averaged 20. Both players are skilled rim runners and effective rim protectors. Lively may have the edge as a rebounder due to his quick instincts and could emerge as the team’s starter this season if he’s the clear standout in training camp.

It’s not a guarantee for the young center. The coaching staff could believe it’s more beneficial for Lively to provide a boost of energy in the second unit. Either way, it’s a good problem for the Mavericks to have.

Who emerges as defensive anchor?

The Mavericks have plenty of scoring options, but who’s going to accept the challenge of defending the best player on a nightly basis?

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That role belonged to Derrick Jones Jr., who mysteriously signed with the L.A. Clippers in the offseason. Now there’s a vacancy that Dallas will need to fill. The most likely candidate is Naji Marshall, who was signed to a 3-year, $27 million contract in free agency. Marshall will probably begin the season on the bench, but his defensive capabilities could result in earning starter’s minutes at some point during the season.

Marshall averaged 0.7 blocks and 0.2 steals last season for the New Orleans Pelicans, but he’s capable of guarding the best perimeter players on opposing teams. He has the versatility to guard point guards, shooting guards, small forwards and some smaller power forwards due to his size: 6-6 with a wingspan of over seven feet.

There are other options for defensive anchor, including Gafford and Lively, both of whom will be tasked with defending the paint on a nightly basis.

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