The Dallas Mavericks are eight months removed from controversially trading Luka Doncic away, so they are looking forward to prove themselves right with their decision to pivot into more of a defensive identity. The Mavericks have so much frontcourt depth that all they need is some quality backcourt play to get them back to playoff contention. With Kyrie Irving out until perhaps January , the onus will be on D'Angelo Russell to hold the fort in the meantime.

But it looks like Irving is closer to returning than one would expect. Irving was not just present for the Mavericks' Media Day session on Monday, he was also in attendance for their first day of training camp. While he's not yet taking contact in practice and he doesn't even seem to be back in full training just yet, him being t

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