Around the Beat: The Shooting Bet, Washington's New Job…

By the Mavericks Nightly Desk · Friday, September 18

The beat is debating three storylines this week: whether Dallas's shooting additions matter as much as billed, whether P.J. Washington can be the group's enforcer, and whether Dereck Lively II's offseason look changes his return timeline. None of the three settle cleanly against last season's numbers or this month's injury report.

Mavericks Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

The Shooting Bet

The Smoking Cuban's Jake Schroeder tied Zaccharie Risacher's future with the club to next season, while colleague Will Miller argued the three-point shooting overhaul matters less than advertised, and Noah Weber flagged the Rob Fodor hire as another piece of that project. Risacher hit 36.8 percent on threes across 67 games last season, and Max Christie shot 40.4 percent over 77 — real volume behind the label. Dallas also carries a $17.5 million commitment to Klay Thompson; the spending backs the overhaul story even if Miller is right that its scale gets oversold. That's the backdrop: Dallas's offense rated 110.3 last season, its shooting numbers now under review from every angle.

Washington's Other Job

Noah Weber wrote that P.J. Washington needs to bring an enforcer mentality to protect this rebuilt group. Last season he logged 14.2 points and 7.0 rebounds across 56 games — steady work, but nothing in that line marks him as an enforcer. Naji Marshall and Daniel Gafford logged heavier minutes at forward and center, so the physical burden Weber describes would be new, not a continuation. Washington's $19.8 million salary is the second-largest number on the books, a price that assumes more than steady scoring.

Lively's Frame vs. His File

Matt Martinez reported Lively looked "yoked" in an offseason Duke workout, and Weber wrote his potential hinges on something outside his control. The injury report says otherwise for now: Lively is day-to-day with a right foot and leg issue, aiming for an October 1 return, the same date listed for Kyrie Irving and Santi Aldama. A strong look in the gym in June doesn't move that date.

Is Dereck Lively II healthy for the start of the season?

No. Lively is day-to-day with a right foot and leg issue, with an estimated return of October 1, 2026.

Did the Mavericks upgrade their three-point shooting this offseason?

Dallas is carrying a $17.5 million commitment to Klay Thompson and hired shooting coach Rob Fodor, which backs the shooting overhaul storylines outlets are debating this week.

By the Mavericks Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.