It used to be an unwritten requirement on a hockey team.

The Dallas Mavericks have added to their roster in a way they haven’t before.

Yes, Klay Thompson highlights the new guys for the 2024-25 season.

But Dallas is lucky to get a certain group of guys together. Guys that stand up for one another. Or as P.J. Washington said, “standing on business.”

Washington made a statement against the LA Clippers whenever tempers were flaring between the Mavericks and Clippers.

Washington went viral for crossing his arms against the Clippers when things got out if hand while Dallas was dominating during Game 3.

After a whistle and a turnover, Terrance Mann was talking trash to Washington. Washington stood his ground and stood, but he basically didn’t care while staring down the Clippers bench.

This put a positive taste in Mavs fans as someone who’s irritating to the opposing team. Washington has also been one of the hardest-working guys in the gym in the offseason. His motivation for being back in the DFW area is a huge difference to his work ethic. He clearly loves being in a Mavs uniform.

Naji Marshall is also someone who opposing teams don’t want to mess with.

He’s on the team because of his work ethic and defense. He’s someone who’s gotten better each year, and he has a great frame for someone to play on-ball defense.

He’s also a tough guy, and when he sees something, he doesn’t like, he’ll let you know.

Marshall got into a scuffle with Jimmy Butler after a hard foul by Kevin Love to Zion Williamson last season. Marshall was ejected, but it shows that when a star goes down, he won’t back down and acts as an enforcer.

Marshall is a proven team player who plays on all sides. His shooting is improving every year, but his hustle and defense are supposed to be what replaces Derrick Jones Jr.

Jones Jr. was also a fan favorite, so Marshall has work to get on the Mavs fans’ good side, but that won’t take long for that to happen. Dallas fans aren’t used to having an enforcer to begin with, and this is a massive change compared to past years.

Then, there’s the veteran. He’s the voice of the locker room.

Markieff Morris.

He’s been in too many scuffles to name, but he’s an older guy. He just turned 35 so he won’t be looked at to get too many minutes out there, but his leadership is valued tremendously.

Morris has the same role as a Udonis Haslem type player, and we all know how physical Haslem was.

This doesn’t mean that Morris will play basketball until he’s 42, but the Mavericks need to appreciate his leadership every day during the season.