DALLAS — Winning will not be the primary objective when the Dallas Mavericks open the preseason against the Houston Rockets in Macao next week, Mavericks coach Dusty May said Friday after the sixth practice of training camp. He wants Dallas to come home knowing where its holes are on offense and defense.
The Mavericks opened camp Sept. 26, three days before the league-wide start, because of the trip. Dallas faces the Rockets at The Venetian Arena on Oct. 9, with tip-off at 7 a.m. CT, and again Oct. 11 as part of the NBA China Games.
“Well, they’re going to expose some things because of the way they play and how hard they play and their athleticism and their switchability, but also then their skill on offense will challenge some parts defensively,” May said. “So it will be a fact-finding mission. We want to win every drill. We want to win every shooting competition. But winning is not going to be the primary objective.”
“We need to leave Macao with a much better understanding of what our holes are on offense and defense and what are some things that we can hang our hat on when the game slows down,” May continued.
May did not say Friday whether Santi Aldama or Morez Johnson Jr. will play in Macao. Aldama is working back from an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee in March. Johnson has been limited by lower leg soreness, and on Wednesday, May said the rookie was in every other live session.
“I know Morez is playing a lot of 5-on-5 now, so he’s obviously much closer,” May said. “… He played a lot today. He’s still dealing with the ramp back up. But most importantly, we want our guys to be healthy, mentally and physically, on game nights.”
Dallas took Johnson ninth overall in June. He knows the staff from Michigan, where he played for May on the 2026 national championship team.
“Just thinking long term. There’s no reason to take any chances right now, especially him,” May explained. “He’s in an advantageous position because he knows our terminology, our language, our practice habits. He’s the only one. So he technically could probably miss practice and play pickup and be fine as far as being able to function within the group, just because he knows the staff.”
Tarik Biberović spent eight seasons at Fenerbahçe before signing with Dallas on July 10. The Mavericks are much less structured than his past teams, and he is learning to find his shots within the flow of the game.
“Obviously, the shooting is what he’s going to hang his hat on and what this team needs him to do at a high level,” May said. “I think his defense has been probably a little bit further along than I anticipated. Just getting him more acclimated, playing off of his teammates, we’re much less structured per se than his past teams. And so it’s learning to find his shots and the flow of the game and making sure we’re taking good ones. But he’s a good player.”
Dallas has 20 players in camp. Before the Mavericks open the regular season, Biberović has to adjust to the speed and length of the NBA, according to May.
“I think any basketball team in this sport, it’s a meritocracy. If you play well and your team functions better as a group with you out there, then your minutes go up, and if you play and if the team doesn’t play well, they go down,” May said. “… When you look at our speed and length, hopefully that will allow him to be ready to play against the Houstons and the San Antonios and Indianas, the teams we play first. But I think his shooting will be something that we’re going to be able to count on.”
After the Oct. 21 opener in Houston, Dallas visits the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 23 and hosts the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 24.
If two players are even and Dallas is trying to win, the veteran might get the nod, May said. He is still learning what an 82-game season asks of players.
“The toughest conversations are the ones where you are doing what you’re supposed to do and you’re playing well, but that guy’s playing really well also, and he’s just a step ahead of you, or maybe because he’s a veteran. If you’re trying to win, the veteran might get the nod, even if it’s even,” May said. “But that’s the thing that I’m still learning about the NBA, with being an 82-game season. More than anything else, the ability to stay ready and not get too low if it’s not going well for you, and not be too high if it is, is a real key attribute to success for what we’re forecasting.”
Dusty May On Zaccharie Risacher, Seth Lundy, And A Connected Group
Zaccharie Risacher was in an open-court situation about five times in Friday’s practice. May thought he made an excellent decision on all five.
“Zach, I’ll just speak on today. His poise with the ball and his hands improving,” May said. “He’s learning to change speeds better. I mean, he’s going really fast, so he goes really, really fast. And now he’s kind of stopping and letting the dust settle, and he’s making really good decisions with the ball in his hands. I think today he was in an open-court situation maybe five times. I thought he made an excellent decision for the five.”
“He’s making open shots, he’s playing with aggression, he looks extremely confident. But the things that we’ve seen him do every single day is offensive rebound at a high level, run the lane, especially transition offense at a high level,” May continued. “And then just he’s connected better now, he’s driving and kicking better. He’s making incremental progress every single day.”
Atlanta took Risacher first overall in 2024 and traded him to Dallas on July 19 in a three-team deal that also involved the Oklahoma City Thunder. He averaged 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 67 games last season, 46 of them starts.
Outside noise is a distraction, according to May, unless a player turns it into fuel to work harder.
“Maybe to some. We just want him to play good ball and embrace who he is as a player, his strengths,” May said. “Hopefully he feels a part of this group, that he feels embraced by the team and the staff. And as far as all the other stuff, I think that’s just, those are distractions, unless you use it as fuel just to work harder, or maybe when you’re at that breaking point, it pushes you over the edge.”
“… This league, what I’ve learned is they don’t give up on guys at 20 or 21 or whatever the case and say you’re not an NBA player,” May added. “And so it’s just those guys that can stay the course, that can fight every battle and just stay with it, it usually lends itself to working out well for them at the end of the day. But, yeah, we just want Zach to play really good basketball and get a little bit better every day.”
Dallas has until Oct. 31 to exercise Risacher’s $17.4 million team option for 2027-28.
Dallas does not have many players back from last season, and very few were with the team two years ago. How connected the group already looks has been the biggest surprise of camp for May.
“I think they’re a connected group for not being together. We don’t have a lot of guys back from last year. And we don’t have very many back that were here two years ago. Very few guys were here two years ago,” May said. “So for a group to come together from all over the world and seem as connected as they are, and the way they relate to each other, that’s probably been the biggest surprise, because those are things you never, ever know.”
Seth Lundy has played 5-on-5 live with the main players. In a couple of reps with four of them, May said, the group functioned with Lundy in there.
“Seth, when he’s got this opportunity, has played well. There were a couple reps when we had him in with four of the main guys, and he played off of them well, that group functioned with him in there,” May said. “He’s getting better as a defender. I think if you take away his health issues, his foot issues the last couple years, he would have been probably on a standard contract right now. And so hopefully he stays healthy, because he’s played well in all of our breakdowns, all of our competitions, and he’s had a chance to play 5-on-5 live with the main guys.”
Lundy signed a training camp deal on Sept. 26 after missing the previous two seasons. Teams have until 4 p.m. CT on Oct. 19 to set opening-night rosters.
Tarik Biberović And Daniel Gafford On Dusty May, Macao, And Earning Minutes
Memphis drafted Biberović 56th overall in 2023. Dallas acquired his rights in the six-team trade that also involved Aldama and Marcus Sasser. He had the chance to come over last year, he said, along with other opportunities, including from NBA teams.
“Well, I feel myself marinated. I had the opportunity also last year, but I actually gave up a lot to be here. I had very good opportunities, like back over there, also from different NBA teams,” Biberović said. “But me personally, I feel, not a little bit, I feel I’m ready for this challenge, because mentally I’m way more mature, and I know how to be on the court, and I’ll give my best to earn every single minute of it.”
Making it to the NBA was one of Biberović’s first goals in Europe. The Dallas staff knew what he left behind to get here.
“Well, the staff also knew what I gave, what I left behind me. So they also know I didn’t come here just to be happy or just to be a part of the team, just to be an NBA player,” Biberović explained. “That was one of my first goals when I was in Europe. I’m never going to be the guy who just came into the NBA just to say he was an NBA player. I came here to make an impact, and they also know that.”
“So we have that hunger … Hopefully, if God wills, I hope we’re going to go up every single day,” Biberović continued. “We’re on the same page, and that’s the most important.”
Biberović has good size, he said, and he is trying to bring physicality, defense, rebounding, high energy, and basketball IQ.
“Everybody knows I came here as a shooter, but to stay on the court you have to do multiple things. Obviously, it’s an everyday fight,” Biberović said. “We’re here together to make each other better, but still you’re competing every single day, and that’s the beauty of it. Me personally, I have a good size, and I’m trying to bring the physicality, defense, rebounding, high energy, and also basketball IQ. Understanding the plays, helping the other players around me, trying to be that piece who’s going to lift up the team in some situations. So it’s very, very joyful for me too.”
Last season in the EuroLeague, Biberović averaged 10.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 36 regular-season games. He made 73-of-183 3-pointers, a 39.9% clip, and averaged 15.8 points over five playoff games.
The rhythm in Dallas is a little faster than what Biberović is used to, but the idea is the same. Some of the terminology is new to him.
“Trying to get acclimated to the system. Very blessed. Very blessed to be here with the guys, and everybody is healthy,” Biberović said. “It’s very nice to be here and trying to get better. Me personally, it’s obviously like a new system and I have to adjust for it, but it’s not so hard, because the philosophy and the rhythm is a little bit faster, but kind of like the idea is the same, so I’m enjoying every single day.”
“Terminology? It’s been a little bit different. We were talking about this just like five minutes ago. Like, he was saying some things, and for me, I’m hearing it for the first time, but it’s just like this,” Biberović added. “It’s basketball, so it’s easy.”
Dallas has a new team and a new staff, Biberović said, and Macao is a chance to get everyone on the same page.
“Well, like, I’ll talk team, from the team’s perspective first. We have a new team, pretty much a new team and new staff, and a lot of new energy,” Biberović said. “So I think we as a team have to be on the same page and try to put in accord the things we’re working on here, even before the preseason camp. So for me, that’s the most important: to be on the same page, to be in the rhythm.”
“And me personally, I’ll try to fight for every single chance I have. I’m a good shooter, I believe in myself, but also, firstly and foremostly, I’m a basketball player,” Biberović continued. “So be there for the team to get a win.”
Biberović called Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg generational talents. Dallas brought him in to make their game easier, he said.
“As you guys know, as much as I can see, Dallas fans are very much educated about basketball. They understand basketball too,” Biberović said. “So the reason why I’m brought here is to make their game easier, so the guys can help me, so they have more space, and so they can make my job easier too, because they’re great one-on-one players and they’re good system players.”
“I don’t know how much you saw it in the practices, but they understand the system really well, and they are sharing the ball, and they understand the coach’s idea, so it’s been beautiful,” Biberović detailed. “Both of them are generational talents, and it’s beautiful. It’s a blessing to share a court with them.”
Biberović has been in Dallas for almost a month. Competing and taking care of each other have both been at a high level, he said.
“Very good guys. All the guys you named, the ones you didn’t name, everybody’s a great professional. Every one of them has their own capabilities and special things they are good at,” Biberović said. “So it’s been really nice here. I’ve been here for like a month almost, and the competing is at a high level, but also taking care of each other is at a high level, which is the most important in these circumstances.”
Biberović’s brother is also a shooter.
“My brother is a really good shooter. I’ll say we’re all the same,” Biberović said. “He might be even better sometimes.”
Daniel Gafford has attempted one 3-pointer in seven NBA seasons, and it came with the Washington Wizards in 2021-22. On Sunday, May said Gafford will shoot rhythm threes as long as he continues to earn the right.
Gafford had not heard a number for how many threes he might shoot. The first couple might miss, he said, but he expects to knock the rest down.
“I haven’t heard that. If that’s true, I mean, it’s a role that I’m going to have to take that step into. Of course, it’s going to be uncomfortable at first, but I feel like the first couple of misses, I think I’ll knock the rest off and be able to knock a couple of shots down,” Gafford said. “But, I mean, I’m looking forward to it. They’re putting a lot of faith in me to be able to take those shots, so it’s only right that I do the same for myself.”
At Arkansas, Gafford’s job was setting screens, rolling to the basket, catching lobs, and rebounding.
“I did not. No. I took maybe a couple of jump shots in college, but that’s pretty much it. I didn’t shoot no threes at all,” Gafford said. “I was dunking the ball the majority of the time. Yeah, so that was pretty much my job. Set screens, roll to the basket, catch lobs, rebound, screen a lot. All of the above.”
“Yeah, I’m just, at this point, I’m growing in my career. I’m growing as a player, so I’m just building that confidence to be able to just take that next step,” Gafford continued. “For sure.”
Gafford has made 70.2% of his shots across 433 career games, none of them from beyond the arc. A first make would feel good, he said, as long as it does not go to his head.
“I mean, it’s going to feel good, I would say. Hopefully it just doesn’t go to my head and I start jacking up threes,” Gafford said. “So, fingers crossed.”
His only attempt was a heave. Gafford remembered it coming before the clock ran out on a quarter, going into maybe the fourth.
“It was a heave. It was like at the end of it. I think it was like going into maybe the fourth. I can’t remember. If I’m not mistaken, I think it was at Washington,” Gafford explained. “Just a turnaround, quick try to get it up before the clock went down. That was pretty much it. That’s usually whenever I’m supposed to be taking those threes anyway, so I just shot it.”
May’s love for the game stands out to Gafford. The way May breaks things down helps players learn different spots and get comfortable.
“I mean, just his love for the game, honestly. He really pays attention to details, and he really breaks it. He basically kind of, like, tries to break the game down to a science, honestly,” Gafford said. “It helps everybody be able to kind of build and just learn different spots and just be able to be comfortable to where it can help us all take the next step as a player.”
Pace has been the biggest emphasis of the first week for Gafford.
“Really just our pace. He wants us to play fast. Of course, offensive rebounding, defensive rebounding, all of the above,” Gafford said. “He just wants us to be just like that team to where we play off of each other, we give each other energy, and we do all the things that just helps us to win basketball games.”
Dereck Lively II is recovering from December foot surgery, and Aldama and Johnson have also been limited. Gafford tells them to take their time.
“I mean, I just take it as every day is, got to step up, honestly. You know what I’m saying? I’m just, I tell those guys, take your time,” Gafford said. “Injuries are something that obviously you don’t take lightly, I want to say, because I want everybody to be able to come in and just be able to play as themselves, instead of something to where it’s like you’re getting felt like you’re holding yourself back at some point.”
“But really just, I come in and I do the same thing every day. I put my head down to work, and those guys do the same thing,” Gafford continued. “So it’s just like wherever I leave off on the floor, they’re going to pretty much do the same thing when they come back.”
Gafford is learning from the young players, who come in with their antennas up and ready to work.
“Man, honestly, everybody that has joined, everybody comes in with the idea of just getting better. We have good energy, everybody’s ready to learn. We’re just soaking up so much knowledge, it’s just like we’re all sponges,” Gafford said. “So I’m really just learning from the young guys, because they come in with their head on their shoulders, antennas up, and they’re just ready to work. So it’s just, I got to make sure I keep up with them.”
The chemistry felt natural to Gafford, who said it was as if the group knew the new players before they arrived.
“I really can’t pinpoint what kind of caused it. It was just natural. Like, the majority of the guys, like, it felt like we knew the majority of these guys that came in before they even came in,” Gafford said. “So, it was just, we’re one big happy family at the end of the day. And we’re just pushing each other to better. And that chemistry that we’re building is because we’re always around each other.”
“When we come in, it’s a great atmosphere. It’s good energy. We’re always picking each other up. Dusty emphasized one of the main things is just, like, never let anybody hold their head down,” Gafford added. “Never let anybody get frustrated or anything like that. Always push guys to be the best that they can be and always hold them up to a high standard. So that’s kind of like what we’re doing throughout this season, for sure.”
Communication is one of three things Gafford wants Dallas to get out of Macao.
“Of course, get used to playing with each other, get used to our offense when it comes to different guys on the floor, different lineups, and just the defensive side too,” Gafford said. “Getting uncomfortable with communicating with each other more. If you don’t talk as much, you got to talk a lot now. So I would say those are the main three things in my, that would help us in general.”
Gafford has never been to China.
“Nah, this will be my first time,” Gafford said. “… Man, I’m a big food guy. So it’s like definitely going to find a ramen spot. But any type of cuisine over there, I mean, I’m all for it. I’m at a point to where it’s like I try a lot of stuff. It’s all about the experience for me. So we’ll see.”
Johnson came in asking questions, according to Gafford, and picked up with May right where the two left off at Michigan.
“I’ve seen that, I mean, he’s a hard worker, man. He came in, of course he’s asking questions and he’s trying to learn as a player. One of the young guys, he just came in ready to work,” Gafford said. “That’s the main thing that I noticed from him. He has good energy, has his head on his shoulders. He’s very coachable, too. So it’s just like where him and Dusty left off from college, they pretty much just got back to it when they got here, for real, for real.”
May has talked about Gafford facilitating more as a big. Gafford is learning to slow himself down.
“I’m getting there, baby steps, because I’m learning how to slow myself down a lot,” Gafford said. “I’m used to just being like this 24/7, but now it’s just I’m trying to further slow the game down for myself.”
After Macao, Dallas hosts the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 14 and the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 16. Both games tip off at 7 p.m. CT.
