NBA Training Camp 2012: New-look Mavericks eager to hit the ground running

Eager to erase memories of a four-game sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder in last year's NBA Playoffs, the Dallas Mavericks plan to welcome a bevy of new faces to training camp this fall.

Among the names expected to have a sizable impact is veteran big man Elton Brand, a former No. 1 overall draft pick who averaged 11 points and 7.1 rebounds last year for the Philadelphia 76ers. Though the 33-year-old Brand has battled injuries for much of his career and is not quite the same player athletically he once was, his rebounding ability and soft touch around the basket are both upgrades for the Mavericks down low. Brand will team with another first-year Maverick in All-Star center Chris Kaman to give Dallas one of the highest-scoring group of interior forwards in the league.

Another new face set to shoulder a good deal of the offensive load is shooting guard O.J. Mayo, who signed a two-year deal worth $8.5 million with the team this summer. Mayo owns a 15.2 career scoring average since entering the league as the No. 3 overall pick in 2008, but also comes with minor red flags with regard to his shot selection and willingness to defer to teammates.

Mavericks preseason schedule

Mon, Oct. 15 - Houston

Wed, Oct. 17 - Phoenix

Sat, Oct. 20 - at Atlanta

Mon, Oct. 22 - New Orleans

Wed, Oct. 24 - at Oklahoma City

Fri, Oct. 26 - Charlotte