Mavs 2024-25 preview: Klay joins Kyrie and Luka for shot at NBA title

The Dallas Mavericks' power duo could become a triple threat this season.

Driving the news: Dallas' preseason starts at 7pm Monday night with a game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Why it matters: The team came close to an NBA title last year, adding to the pressure this season.

• "When you talk about last season, it was last season. This is a different team. … We have to be hungry," head coach Jason Kidd said at a news conference last week.

Catch up fast: Klay Thompson joins the Mavericks after winning four championships with the Golden State Warriors. The 34-year-old veteran, who Kidd says is on track to be "one of the best shooters of all time," could be a good match for guards Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.

• "I think we have all the ingredients for a championship," Thompson told reporters last week .

Fun fact: Thompson and Irving were part of the same draft class in 2011 and have competed against each other in the NBA Finals.

• "That was a huge reason why I am here [in Dallas] because Kyrie spoke that highly of me and him believing that we can achieve those goals," Thompson said.

Reality check: Thompson may need time to settle in as a Maverick.

• Irving's first season with the Mavs was rough , even though he was an eight-time NBA All-Star and won a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The latest: Dereck Lively II has leveled up from rookie status and is in consideration for the starting lineup this season.

• Dončić injured his calf last week at training camp and will be evaluated "as necessary" this week, the team said on X .
• The Mavericks have also hired former Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel as a coaching consultant. He led the Lakers to the championship in 2020.

What's next: The Mavs will play four preseason games between Monday and Oct. 17.

• They open the regular season Oct. 24 at home against the San Antonio Spurs.

How to watch: A new multi-year deal allows North Texans to watch at least 15 Mavericks games this season on WFAA (Channel 8) and all games not nationally televised on KMPX (Channel 29).