What happened: JJ Redick will stagger Luka Doncic, Adou Thiero, and Sandro Mamukelashvili to ensure two remain on the court whenever Walker Kessler sits. The coach emphasized that these groups must collectively box out to compensate for the lack of a traditional center.

Why it matters: The approach addresses a clear lack of interior depth behind the starting frontcourt. By leaning on bigger perimeter players, the staff aims to maintain defensive integrity without sacrificing spacing. Rebounding success from these groups will likely dictate rotation patterns once the regular season begins.

What to watch: Watch how these combinations perform on the defensive glass during the remainder of the preseason.