The Dallas Mavericks have completed a major renovation of their practice facility, upgrading the building with new recovery, dining and relaxation spaces designed to improve the daily experience for players.
The changes have already received positive reactions from Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg, according to Mavericks vice president and chief of staff for basketball operations Khalia Collier.
“The best thing I heard, hands down, was from Kai and Coop,” said Collier. “Kai came in and said: we’ve really leveled up. The first thing he did is he went to the couch, laid out and said, this is what investment looks like.
“I think that’s what’s most impressive to our players is that they see the investment from our ownership group and they also know that they’re listening to them. Coop was like, all right, I see what you guys are doing.”
The revamped facility includes a barber shop, expanded players’ lounge, sauna, steam room and performance kitchen. Natural light has also been introduced to the practice area through new windows.
Although the Mavericks expect to eventually move to a new arena and practice facility in North Dallas, the organization decided against waiting several years to improve its current home.
“We know the horizon is North Dallas,” Collier said. “We know what the future is going to look like. The flip side is we’re doing it now. We’re getting to showcase what the future looks like. Very rarely do you get that opportunity to actually make that kind of investment. We’re going to be here another five years. In the NBA, that’s a long time. But it’s relative. To ownership’s credit, they were like, why wait?
“It’s a commitment, to everything. Every NBA facility, you’re going to have amenities. But what we do is show up every day for our players to ensure they’re put in the best possible situation, the best environment. That’s an investment from ownership. And it’s also giving us just a little snapshot of what 2031 looks like. And it gives us an incredible competitive advantage.”
More than 10,000 working hours went into the 7,500-square-foot renovation, which was scheduled to be fully operational for the opening of training camp.
“A great practice facility is essential to building a great basketball organization,” Mavericks’ CEO Rick Welts said. “It’s where our players and staff spend so much of their time and it should give them everything they need to prepare, recover and perform at their best. Patrick Dumont and our ownership group understand that. This investment reflects their commitment to our people, to competing for championships and creating a world-class Mavericks’ organization.”
Among the most noticeable additions are two large windows overlooking the practice area. Collier said introducing natural light has changed the atmosphere inside the building.
“What we do know is that natural light has a lot of positive benefits, whether that’s cognitive function, mood enhancement – and it’s also just made us feel like we’re not in a dungeon,” Collier said. “You’re here for 12, 14, 16 hours out of the day. It’s nice to know when the sun’s coming up and coming down. This has been a significant change for us. One of the biggest ‘wow’ factors for the players is the windows.”
The larger players’ lounge also includes a display of albums personally selected by Mavericks players, giving the space a more individualized feel.
“This was a fun project to do,” said Brandon Barkley, the Mavericks’ director of player relations. “It gives their lounge a personal touch.”
Irving selected Nas’ It Was Written, while Caleb Martin chose 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’. Other players contributed their own choices.
“We talked about something different to add to the players’ lounge. Always good energy, good vibes and putting us in the best position to get the best out of our players at all times. They feed off the energy. When they come in and see their favorite albums, it sets the tone. And you can see the personality of our players,” Collier said.
For the Mavericks, the broader goal is to provide players with everything they need at one location while demonstrating ownership’s commitment to both the present roster and the organization’s future.
“As much as we’re going to ask you to lay it all out on the court, we’re also going to make sure that you’re able to relax and have everything you need off the court,” Collier said. “It’s nice for the players to know everything is right in their back yard. When they think of something, if we can make their life easier to help them be able to focus on what they do best, the love of basketball to compete at the highest level, absolutely we can provide anything to be successful.
“We have an ownership group that is investing in us now and in the future. So of course, the guys appreciate it. They know we could have waited for the new arena in North Dallas. But to know we’re doing it right now, it sets the tone for what the future expectations are, but more importantly, the current expectations.”
