Jason Kidd's bold new game plan will be the Mavericks' secret weapon

The Dallas Mavericks head into the preseason with a ton of questions. For starters, the team's starting lineup is still up in the air. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II are two players who will be vying for a starting spot. Last season, Gafford started 31 games for Dallas, while Lively II started in 29 games. Injuries played a factor, though, as both players missed quality time.

However, the starting center position might be Lively II's to lose due to Gafford's recent injury. Gafford sprained his ankle during training camp and is expected to be out two to three weeks. This gives Lively II an advantage to further work with the first team and create connections with his teammates. This doesn't mean, though, that Gafford completely lost the starting role. It's possible he could return before the season starts and earn his spot.

For now, Lively II must take advantage of the opportunity. One area that could help improve Lively II's chances of getting the starting nod is his shooting. Coach Jason Kidd recently spoke on the team's plan to unleash Lively II's offensive game, something that starts with him shooting the ball. Basically, expect the young center to be more aggressive this season.

Dereck Lively's shooting will be a major difference maker this season

Last season, Lively II averaged 8.7 points per game and shot 70.2 percent from the field. A majority of shots came inside the paint, as he does a great job connecting on lobs, dunks, and dump-off passes inside. Two years ago, he would've led the league in field goal percentage if he played more games, as his former teammate Luka Doncic made his life easier inside.

Lively II now seems ready to elevate his game to the next level. The Dallas Hoops Journal provided more insight into how Kidd plans to unleash Lively's offensive game. As mentioned, it all starts with shooting the ball.

"We all know he's mature. We're going to let him shoot," Kidd said. "We want him to fight. We want him to be the champion of the paint. We want his leadership. I know this is his third year, so we're asking a lot for a young player, but we believe he can handle it."

This is the exact comment fans want to hear. Ever since the 2024 NBA Finals, Mavs fans have been wanting to see Lively II shoot the ball. In Game 4, Lively II converted his first 3-point attempt of his career, something fans went crazy for. Before the shot, Lively II had missed his only two 3-point shots.

A couple of weeks ago at media day, Lively II spoke on the idea of shooting more 3-pointers. He mentioned that he plans to shoot the occasional long-range attempt from the corner. Assuming Lively II follows through with his statement, this would do wonders for the Mavs' offense.

Last season, Dallas ranked in the middle of the pack when it came to converting 3-point shots. They made 36.4 percent of their long-range attempts. Dante Exum, Kyrie Irving, and Brandon Williams were the team's top 3-point shooters, as they converted above 40 percent of their attempts.

So, if Lively II were to become a 3-point shooter for Dallas, then this could help improve their team's overall percentage and make them one of the top offenses in the league. Plus, it would solidify Lively II as Dallas' starting center for the future.

Mavs fans must hope Kidd holds to his promise and finally allows Lively II to shoot the ball. It would be a sight to see and something fans wouldn't get enough of. As mentioned, it would also make the Mavs 'offense one of the highest scoring groups in the league. Basically, Kidd's new game plan could be the perfect ingredient for a successful season.