2 Mavericks players who are reportedly outworking everyone this summer

The seemingly endless NBA offseason is finally starting to wrap up ahead of media day later this month.

The Dallas Mavericks have made as many great moves as any team in the Western Conference this summer, and fans can't wait for them to get back on the floor.

Despite Dallas falling short to the Boston Celtics in five games in the 2024 NBA Finals, they've made multiple moves to ensure that they return at some point moving forward.

The biggest move of the summer was undoubtedly acquiring Klay Thompson, but the rest of the moves they've made to round out the roster will be extremely impactful as well.

2 Mavericks players who are outworking everyone this summer

Their first move of the summer was trading Tim Hardaway Jr. for Quentin Grimes, and that move is already looking like it is going to pan out. Grimes' excellent perimeter defense, shooting, and ball handling at the two should help Dallas tremendously, and he is someone who could play big minutes due to his lockdown defense.

Dallas also signed Naji Marshall and Spencer Dinwiddie, and both of those players are expected to play big minutes as well. Marshall is a 3-and-D enforcer who can guard multiple positions while Dinwiddie is poised to be a great all-around guard off the bench.

A third creator outside of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving was definitely a concern during the playoffs, and them landing Dinwiddie helps solidify this spot.

Several Dallas players have been working hard this summer to improve their craft and get ready for next season, and the Mavs are looking like they'll be a top team in the Western Conference once again.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein on the DLLS Mavs Podcast, two Mavericks players are "very high on the list of guys who've been in the gym a ton all summer."

Stein detailed that they've spent tons of time working out together in Dallas, and this will only help the team chemistry and their own player development. Dallas' team chemistry is already at another level this offseason after most of the team worked out together in Los Angeles, and these two players taking their time off seriously is poised to put the Mavericks in NBA Finals conversations once again.

2. P.J. Washington

Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington became a fan favorite for Dallas in the 2024 NBA Playoffs as he stood on business in their series against the LA Clippers and dominated against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and he is one of the players who Marc Stein said has been in the gym heavily this summer.

Washington is focused on improving his ball handling and playmaking this summer, and him improving in these areas makes Dallas' offense much more versatile and fast-paced.

While Jason Kidd sometimes allowed Washington to bring the ball up the floor last season, him becoming more confident and polished as a ball handler and creator will only allow him to improve even more. Using Washington as a point forward one day would be nice for Dallas, and he is going to be a key part of Dallas' success this season.

The Mavs have also reportedly been working with Washington on changing up his jump shot some, and Dallas is going to be lethal if he can shoot like he did in the NBA Playoffs consistently. He became an assassin from the corners, and him sharing the floor with Klay Thompson is going to help him get even more open looks.

Washington will likely start at the four once again and he is going to have much more defensive pressure on him now that Thompson is in the starting lineup with him. He no longer has Derrick Jones Jr. on the wing to help him shut down opposing ball handlers, and him taking another leap defensively would help the Mavs considerably.

Washington focussing on improving his craft this summer is going to be huge early on in the season, and he is one of the biggest X-factors for the Mavs heading into the 2024-25 season.

1. Dereck Lively II

Dereck Lively II was a monster for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2024 NBA Playoffs, and he was the other gym rat that Marc Stein mentioned.

Lively II has been a key component to Dallas winning games ever since he entered the league, and his value on both ends of the floor is coveted by the Mavs. He has already turned into one of the best roll men in the NBA, and he and Luka Doncic's chemistry is only going to rise as the years go on.

Last season, Lively II averaged 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 74.7 percent from the field. He quickly became the best center on the team last season, and he is expected to nab the starting spot from Daniel Gafford next season.

Lively II is one to work harder than just about anyone on the roster, and him taking another step in his game would make the Mavs even more dangerous. His defense on the perimeter significantly improved as the season went on last season, and his rim protection is already excellent.

Lively II also flashed that he may become a 3-point shooter at some point in his career when he knocked down an open three against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, and him becoming an effective floor spacer one day would work wonders for the Mavs offense.

Lively II is only going to get better as time goes on, and he could go down as one of the best bigs in Mavs history if he keeps improving and working hard.