The Dallas Mavericks wrapped up their first week of training camp Friday at Simon Fraser University, closing out three days of work in Vancouver before heading back to Texas for Monday’s preseason opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
Head coach Jason Kidd praised the team’s effort, communication, and competitiveness through the first week.
“Great. The energy, the communication, everything was at a high. The competition was at a high and it was fun. This was a fun week,” Kidd said.
Anthony Davis in Domantas Sabonis-Like Role
Anthony Davis, who averaged 24.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 51 games last season and earned his 10th All-Star selection, has been central to the early work in Jay Triano’s new offense.
Kidd said Davis’ ability to facilitate from multiple spots makes him an ideal hub in the system.
“He doesn’t always have to be down low—he can be outside on the perimeter, but he can be in all five spots,” Kidd said. “I love the way Coach J has taught the offense. The positions are interchangeable. Everything’s read-and-react. In the first week, guys have picked it up and it’s been great.”
Kidd emphasized that Davis’ versatility in dribble handoffs (DHO) will be a major component of Dallas’ attack.
“His ability to shoot and then play-make. In the DHO’s, he can play on the perimeter in the pick-and-roll, mid-range to three-point line—he can shoot it,” Kidd said. “Also, playing off the dribble, he can drive it. The more we put him in those situations where teams just can’t load up on him in the post, I think that’ll help our offense.”
Davis said the approach is rooted in movement and spacing, similar to how Triano used Domantas Sabonis in Sacramento.
“Ball movement. Getting to our spots and creating lanes for our guys,” Davis said. “With Jay Triano coming over and kind of how they used Sabonis as the hub, kind of the same thing. And guys just playing off of that.”
On defense, Davis is setting the tone after being reminded Dallas ranked last in rebounding post-trade last season.
“I didn’t know this until they told us yesterday, first day of camp, that we were 30th in rebounding,” Davis said. “So there’s been a lot of focus on not watching the ball as it goes to the rim, but turning and finding a body and boxing out, and then going to locate the ball. We are a really good defensive team, but defense—you have to try. It’s a mindset.”
Jason Kidd Highlights Communication and Veteran Leadership
Kidd noted the group has been more vocal than in years past, with leadership coming from multiple players.
“This group talks a little bit more, and that’s good. I don’t have to pull it out of them,” Kidd said. “The communication was good, guys are in, and the competition—everybody’s pushing each other. It’s good to see.”
Naji Marshall, who averaged 13.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 69 games last season, stood out to Kidd as one of the most consistent performers.
“He was consistent all week on both sides of the ball,” Kidd said. “A lot of good things for Naji. I thought he was one of the guys that stood out this week.”
Kidd also singled out D’Angelo Russell, who averaged 12.6 points, 5.1 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 58 games last season, for his voice and shooting.
“His voice. He’s a vet. He’s been in this league,” Kidd said. “His shooting—he’s shooting the lights out, shooting the ball at a high rate. His playmaking has been superb. That’s what we need from him.”
The coach added that P.J. Washington returned to practice Friday.
“Yeah, he was great,” Kidd said. “It was good just having him back. We had the big group out there with Ryan running the point with Cooper, D-Lo, AD, and PJ. They beat up on the white team today.”
Dereck Lively II Focused on Health and Leadership
Third-year center Dereck Lively II, who averaged 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 36 games last season, said he feels strong coming off ankle surgery and is working on conditioning.
“Great, man. I feel strong,” Lively said. “I just have to make sure my wind stays where it needs to be so I can talk where I need to and still run the floor. I’m making sure I’m in the best shape possible so I can help my teammates win.”
He also joked about his height, saying he may now be closer to 7-foot-3.
“I just feel like I wasn’t 7’2” last year—I was 7’1”. So I grew one inch,” Lively said. “I feel like I’m definitely closer to 7’3” now.”
Lively stressed that Dallas’ defensive length should be a major asset.
“We can be a great defensive team,” he said. “All this length, and everyone’s got the best interest in one another—covering each other’s backs, always being in the right rotations. If one of us fails, we all fail. When one of us succeeds, we all succeed.”
He has also taken rookie Cooper Flagg under his wing.
“He’s the No. 1 pick, so everyone’s going to challenge him, go at him, try to pick on him,” Lively said. “I’m just trying to show him: you’re not alone. We’re a team. No matter if they pick on you, we’re all going to pick on them. We’ve got his back—good game, bad game, we’ll always be there for him.”
Naji Marshall Building on Breakout Season
Naji Marshall entered camp aiming to carry over the momentum from a career-best year, when he averaged 13.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 69 games. For him, the focus is on consistency and availability across the full schedule.
“Do whatever I can to help the team win,” Marshall said. “Stay locked in the whole season. Try to play all 82 games.”
He said the first week of practices offered a glimpse of the Mavericks’ potential, with the balance of size and skill standing out.
“I think when we all put it together, it’s going to be a beautiful sight to see,” Marshall said. “I can’t wait.”
The arrival of Triano has also given Marshall confidence in his offensive role. By emphasizing spacing and movement, the system allows him to use his versatility without being forced into a rigid structure.
“He spreads the floor and allows us to play our game,” Marshall said. “That helps me tremendously. We’ve got a lot of weapons, so playing with them is going to be amazing for me.”
After his breakout season, Marshall said his summer was spent trying to raise the bar again. He called last year’s success validation of the work he has put in, but also a challenge to go further.
“Just a testimony to the work,” Marshall said. “Motivation to work even harder this summer so I can top that and be better than that.”
Marshall also credited the new coaching staff for building chemistry with the roster and said he feels the alignment will pay off once the season begins.
“It’s amazing. I feel like the staff matches the roster we have,” he said. “It’s a great coaching staff. They’ve been great all training camp and all summer.”
Beyond his own role, Marshall has kept an eye on Cooper Flagg’s early adjustment to the NBA. Having worked out with him during the offseason, Marshall said he isn’t surprised the rookie forward has quickly looked comfortable in five-on-five action.
“He’s amazing. I’ve been working out with him all summer, so I’ve seen it,” Marshall said. “The first day he was trying to figure it out, but the last two days he just played his game and looked pretty comfortable to me.”
He added that the team’s defensive length—bolstered by players like Flagg—gives the Mavericks a unique advantage.
“We’ve got so much length,” Marshall said. “We can guard the perimeter, we can guard inside. It’s just amazing to talk about and even better to see it come to light. I’m itching for the season to start.”
Asked about where the Mavericks can go this season, Marshall pointed to the collective upside.
“The sky’s the limit,” he said. “If we stay locked in, we can accomplish everything we want.”
Back to Texas
With three practices in the books, Kidd said the team maximized its time in Vancouver.
“The guys were attentive. They executed. We did a lot more playing than we have in the past, so it was good,” Kidd said. “I thought camp this week was really good.”
The Mavericks wrapped up their week in Vancouver and head back to Texas before opening the preseason Monday against the Thunder in Fort Worth.
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