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Carlisle: Dirk likely to come off bench

: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / action Images

Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said Dirk Nowitzki is "likely to come off the bench" during the 2018-19 campaign, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

The Mavericks signed DeAndre Jordan over the summer to take over the center position. With the league focusing on small-ball, a lineup with Nowitzki and Jordan would likely struggle to cover ground against perimeter-heavy opponents.

"When we signed DeAndre, it was pretty much clear in my head that I'm coming off the bench," Nowitzki said, per MacMahon. "It's all about winning, at the end of the day. Whatever puts us in the best position to win is what we're going to roll with, and coach Carlisle has obviously shown over his time here that he's willing to try anything.

"If that's the case, and I'm coming off the bench, we better keep (an exercise) bike ready and keep a couple of massage therapists in the back, and I'll be ready to go."

Nowitzki's willingness to come off the bench is a welcome change for former superstars after the German started all but 31 out of 1471 career games. Carlisle will instead start rookie Luka Doncic in his place, giving the Mavericks an elite passer at the forward spot while maintaining solid floor spacing.

"It's pretty obvious at this point - and Dirk knows this, and we've talked about it - that we have to move the franchise forward the right way," Carlisle said. "Dennis (Smith Jr.), (Wesley) Matthews, Harrison (Barnes), Luka, and DeAndre right now look to me like the best team to start games. We need Wes out there to guard the best wing player, the best perimeter player. We need DeAndre out there to be our center. And I think the other pieces fall into place."

Dallas will have two playmakers on the floor in Doncic and Smith Jr., with strong perimeter shooters and scorers in Barnes and Matthews. With Jordan, they'll have a veteran pick-and-roll specialist and an elite rim-protector manning the middle.

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