VIDEO: Rick Carlisle picks up assist on Chandler Parsons' trick shot

After sustaining several setbacks in free agency, 2015-16 is shaping up to be a difficult season for the Dallas Mavericks.

If they have any hope of making noise in the postseason, or making it at all, they'll need to rely on two key figures: head coach Rick Carlisle and swingman Chandler Parsons.

The duo got together earlier this week in early training camp. As players looked on, Carlisle found Parsons for a deep trey from the staircase of the practice facility:

Having lost three key starters in Monta Ellis, Rajon Rondo, and Tyson Chandler, Parsons will be asked to take on more responsibilities within the Mavericks' offense. Dallas will look to Parsons to develop his playmaking abilities, while continuing to thrive as a floor-stretching forward.

Carlisle, meanwhile, will be tasked with making something out of a reshaped roster. He'll still have Dirk Nowitzki to build around, but Carlisle will attempt to salvage something from reclamation projects like Deron Williams and JaVale McGee.