Mavericks finally get the tweak to make their starting five unstoppable

Dereck Lively II showed off an improved hook shot during the preseason, and this could be the addition to his game that the Dallas Mavericks desperately need.

Lively II has had an excellent first two years for the Mavericks, as he averaged 8.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 72.9 percent from the floor, and he'll have the chance to take these numbers to the next level this season.

So far, Lively II has mostly been utilized as a pick-and-roll finisher, as Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic helped turn him into one of the best pick-and-roll bigs in the West, but he now has the chance to turn into someone much more than that. Mavericks fans were concerned by Lively II's slight dip in production following the Doncic trade, as Dallas traded the player who helped him become a star in his role, but his newfound reliance on his hook shot with either hand will take his offensive game to new heights.

Dereck Lively II's hook shot could change everything for Dallas

In multiple of Dallas' preseason games, Lively II knocked down a hook shot, and adding this move to his bag will raise his offensive ceiling. Having multiple moves in your bag as a big man is important, as it allows them to become multidimensional and not only rely on dunks and open finishes at the rim, and he could become someone that Dallas gives more post-up opportunities to.

A Lively II post-up won't immediately become one of the Mavs' go-to actions, as there are countless other offensive options that they'd likely look to before Lively II down low, but it'll allow him to grow and gain more and more confidence with the ball in his hands. He only posted up 14 times over 36 games last season, and this number should be expected to grow if his efficiency on these shots improves.

Lively II looks comfortable with his back to the basket, and his footwork also looks much smoother than it did over his first two seasons.

If Lively II's touch and hook shot improve, this will give the Mavs' starting five an entirely new tool to utilize at any time, and they'll become even more unstoppable than they already are. Once Dallas is fully healthy, Lively II will likely start alongside Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Cooper Flagg, and Anthony Davis, and this unit has the juice to become one of the most dangerous starting fives in the NBA.

Flagg's athleticism and all-around game, Irving's skill, Davis' defense, Thompson's shooting, and Lively II's finishing all give this five-man group different skills that they need to succeed, and Lively II's year three leap will definitely be something to keep an eye on as the year goes on.

Over the last few weeks, Jason Kidd has made it clear that the team believes Lively II will be a pillar of the Mavs' future next to Flagg, and his improvement on the offensive end will help solidify himself as the center of the future even more. The Mavericks are building something special, and Lively II adding more to his bag over the offseason will prove that Dallas will be one of the most terrifying matchups in the NBA once everyone is healthy.