Ranking 5 Mavericks burning questions by how quickly we want them answered

2. Will Dereck Lively II start shooting 3-pointers?

The NBA has changed a lot revolving around 3-point shooting since 2010. In today's NBA, every player needs to have the ability to shoot 3-pointers. Centers are shooting 3-pointers at a consistent level. One center who could start shooting 3-pointers is Dereck Lively II.

While Lively II did have a 75 percent field goal shooting percentage last season, Lively II didn't attempt a single 3-pointer in the regular season. During Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, Lively II attempted his only 3-pointer and made it.

After Lively II's first made 3-pointer in the Finals, head coach Jason Kidd said 3-point shooting was the "next step" for Lively II in his career, but the 2024 preseason didn't quite show that.

In the 2024 preseason, Lively II attempted only one 3-pointer and missed. A 3-point shot does take time to develop, and Lively II has plenty of time to develop it. He is always seen working on these shots in practice, and he plans to start letting them fly within the flow of the game.

The Mavericks have three elite 3-point shooters with Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, and Luka Doncic. Having a fourth consistent 3-point shooter in the starting rotation like Lively II would make the Mavericks' offense even more deadly.

Lively II's game will likely continue to highly depend on his rim rolling and defense, but him slowly beginning to take 3-pointers over the next few years will allow him to become a more complete offensive player.