Mavs' Carlisle: Dalembert 'needs to get in better shape'

Showing up to training camp in poor condition is unlikely to land a player a starting role with his new team.

It appears Samuel Dalembert has his work cut out for him if he's to convince head coach Rick Carlisle he's worthy of playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In his first camp back with Dallas after a season away, Carlisle said Tuesday that Dalembert "needs to get in better shape."

An out-of-shape Dalembert is surely disappointing considering the Mavericks gave him a fully guaranteed one-year deal in late July. The guarantee doesn't necessarily mean he's certain to earn a roster spot as the Mavs have five centers in camp, but Dalembert was presumed to be penciled in as either the starter or the primary backup to Zaza Pachulia.

There's still a month for Dalembert to get in peak shape before the season begins, something that might be a little more difficult at age 34. Coming off a season in which he averaged 17 minutes over 32 games, Dalembert is in for a larger workload if he makes the team, at least in terms of the number of games he'll appear in.

The 6-foot-11 Haitian-Canadian averaged four points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks last year, but saw his shooting percentage drop to a career-worst 43.8.