The Mavericks are close to adding one of the best 3-point shooters in NBA history to a team that already has won 20 of its last 28 games.
J.J. Redick is on the doorstep of making his Mavericks’ debut. If all goes well, he could be in uniform Monday against Philadelphia, one of his former teams, at American Airlines Center.
Redick went through Saturday’s full practice and while he said he’s dealing with soreness in his right heel, he’s happy with the progress that he’s made.
“My Achilles and heel are sore, but it’s sore all the time,” Redick said. “I’m just managing it right now. It’s the first time going live and I thought it went really well. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow. The antsy-ness is real right now. I’m anxious to play.”
As for what he hopes to bring to the team, Redick said: “I’m going to help them a lot – spreading the floor, giving space to guys like Jalen (Brunson) and Luka (Dončić) and also being a voice of leadership and reason and going out there competing.
“We’re doing great right now without me. I don’t want to mess anything else.”
Coach Rick Carliisle said that Redick practiced fully during a rare, robust workout during this condensed season.
“He did very well,” Carlisle said. “We’ll see how he’s feeling tomorrow. And we’ll go from there. It’s unlikely he’ll play tomorrow (against San Antonio), but (there’s a) possibility he could play Monday.”
Moments later, he added: “We’re looking forward to having him play – hopefully it’s Monday, but if not, hopefully sometime soon after.”
Redick averaged 8.7 points in 31 games with New Orleans before he was traded to the Mavericks last month.
The points, as well as his 36.4 shooting percentage from 3-point range are well down from the numbers he posted in 2019-20, when he averaged 15.3 points and shot 45.3 percent from deep.
The 6-3 guard has been out since March 4 tending to the heel problem that required non-surgical treatment options.
Redick was getting individual treatments on his own before joining the Mavericks 10 days ago in New York.
As for what Redick does best, Carlisle said: “He brings an intensity, he brings experience, really a historic skill. If you look at his 3-point shooting, in the history of the game, he’s one of the best ever.”
Redick broke news about himself on his podcast on Friday, when he said: “I’ve been able to ramp up some of my on-court activities. I am planning on practicing tomorrow (Saturday). We’ll see how it goes. I am expecting tomorrow to be able to do some stuff 5-on-5 and some stuff live. It will be my first time doing that.”
On Saturday, he amplified on that, saying that he’s eager to help this team get playoff-ready.
“I’m really excited,” he said. “This team is trending in the right direction. I think in the last 15 games, we’re No. 3 in the NBA in net rating. So the team is moving in the right direction. I know everybody talks about not looking at the standings, but I would like to be out of the play-in game. That would be cool to me not having to deal with that.
Redick’s 1,935 3-pointers are 15th most in NBA history. His 41.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc is 19th in league history.
“I love the way he approaches his preparation,” Carlisle said. “He’s really a very intense, machine-like worker. A guy like that is always good for the culture of your team. It was great having him out there today in as much of a full-practice situation as you can get in this kind of a season. He’s been great to work with.”
Twitter: @ESefko
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