Dereck Lively II’s Offseason Focus Transforms the Dallas Mavericks

As the Dallas Mavericks gear up for training camp at the start of October, players are diligently honing their skills in preparation for the upcoming season. This offseason may have seemed relatively uneventful in terms of major NBA headlines, but for the Mavericks, it has been a whirlwind. After competing in the NBA Finals until early June, the team has had a shorter off-season than usual, making these last weeks crucial for player development and conditioning.

The importance of this training period cannot be overstated, particularly for the younger members of the Mavericks roster. Typically, the offseason is when young players make significant advancements in their game, and the condensed timeline this year only amplifies that necessity. Among those expected to show remarkable progress is second-year center Dereck Lively II, who many analysts believe is poised for a breakout season.

Lively II has demonstrated flashes of All-Star potential during his rookie year, and he has been fully committed to improving his performance over the summer. Recently, he engaged in rigorous workout sessions alongside teammates P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford at the University of Arkansas, as well as with fellow Duke alumni back at his college. During these sessions, Lively II revealed his primary focus: becoming a dominant force in the paint.

“I’m dedicated to being more assertive in the paint,” Lively II stated. “While I know fans want to see me shoot, my priority is to control the paint before expanding my range. I’m fortunate to have great teammates who can hit shots, so my goal is to be a force inside.” While there may be a desire among fans for Lively II to develop a reliable outside shot, it is clear that his commitment to mastering the paint is a promising strategy for the Mavericks.

Last season, Lively II averaged 8.8 points over 23.5 minutes per game, primarily as a rim roller and cleanup finisher. If he can expand his offensive skill set to include post-up moves an

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