Mavericks fans must stop clinging to delusional narrative that may never come true

Last season, the Dallas Mavericks had the 16th-best 3-point shooting percentage in the league. They converted 36.4 percent of their long-range attempts. Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum, and Brandon Williams were the team's leading 3-point shooters, as they each made above 40 percent of their attempts.

So, it's clear this is an area the Mavs need to improve in, especially considering how poorly they ended the year from downtown. Dallas will also need other players, such as Klay Thompson and P.J. Washington, to help improve their shooting. Cooper Flagg could help the Mavs in this area, but Dallas must be patient with his shooting, as the rookie's shooting wasn't great at NBA Summer League.

However, he isn't the only player whose shooting needs work. Dereck Lively II will also need to improve his shooting if he hopes to become a reliable shooter for the Dallas Mavericks. The narrative from fans that he could become a primary 3-point shooter might need to be re-evaluated, and Mavs fans need to pump the brakes when it comes to their belief in his shooting.

The floor-spacing dream for Dereck Lively II may not happen yet

They are seemingly always trying to push the narrative that he needs to start shooting threes during games. especially since his automatic from beyond the arc during warmups, but he is still years away from making this jump.

In Lively II's first two seasons in the league, he averaged 8.8 points per game and shot 72.9 percent from the field. He converted most of his points in the paint, as former teammate Luka Doncic helped set up opportunities down low and at the rim. Lively II was a force inside and became the team's primary big man.

It was clear he was the Mavs' center for the future and the missing link the team needed for the past couple of years. Yet, there was just one problem. He hadn't shown success shooting the ball outside the paint.

As mentioned, Lively II scores most of his points inside the paint. He hardly ever posts up, though, and he gets most of his points through second chances or lob attempts. However, one area he struggles with that proves he needs to work on his shot is his free-throw shooting.

In his first season, Lively II shot 50.6 percent from the free-throw line. He struggled to obtain points from the line, as Dallas desperately needed him to convert his attempts since he was their starting center. Lively II improved his numbers during his second year, as he made 63 percent of his attempts at the line. So, his free-throw numbers will need to improve if he hopes to become a 3-point shooter.

Basically, Lively II is years away from being an outside shooter, as his free-throw numbers and limited 3-point shots prove that he will need time to develop. Two years ago, Lively II made his first 3-point shot during Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Before the shot, his only 3-point attempt had come in November.

Last season, he attempted zero 3-point shots and failed to capitalize on his successful attempt in the Finals that had fans raving. This should be enough of a reason for fans to believe his 3-point shot will be a work in progress. Fans will have to be patient, as Lively II's outside shot will need some improvement before they start letting him shoot them in games.

So, while it's predicted that Lively II will be a key player in the Mavs' starting lineup this year, fans will need to hit the brakes on the idea that Lively II will become a 3-point shooter. His free-throw percentage and limited amount of 3-point attempts debunk the idea that he'll soon become an outside shooter. The main focus should be on Lively II's health and him making a full return.