For the first time, Rick Carlisle was on the practice court with his team. Clearly, he didn't want it to end.

The Mavericks' summer-league squad hit the gym and spent more than three hours in the first official workout that Carlisle and his coaching staff were allowed to run.

OK, so Monday's full workout was with the summer-league team and not the Mavericks he will welcome in October. The stars were Richie Frahm, Keith McLeod, James Singleton and Gerald Green, not Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Jason Kidd and Jerry Stackhouse.

But the feeling was unmistakable that work on molding the 2008-09 Mavericks had begun. Some of these summer leaguers are going to get legitimate shots to make the final roster for next season.

"There are a lot of things that can happen between now and the end of October," Carlisle said. "I've lived it firsthand as a third-round pick who unexpectedly made it. We have certain needs. We need 3-point shooters. We need athleticism. We need young guys with high energy. And we've got some of that here."

A thorough practice featured a roster heavy on players with NBA experience. Seven of the 11 players on the official roster have been in the league. That led Carlisle to an easy conclusion about the team that assistant Dwane Casey will coach at Las Vegas beginning Friday in the NBA Summer League.

"I told Dwane we shouldn't lose a game," Carlisle said.

Casey will coach the team in Las Vegas, with Terry Stotts taking over in Salt Lake City for the Rocky Mountain Revue.

Among the veterans on the team are Frahm and McLeod, guards who are being given a decent chance of making the final roster in October.

"We're light years from answering that question," Carlisle said of roster spots. "I like McLeod. He played well for me at Indiana. He's a knowledgeable, experienced point guard who is a good defender. He's a guy we're going to take a hard look at."

Staff nearly set: Carlisle said that Mario Elie is set as the No. 3 assistant and will be on the bench with Casey and Stotts. Also, Popeye Jones will be seated behind the bench during games and will have some game-preparation responsibilities, as well.

Carlisle said there remains a possibility of adding another coach to his staff.

Briefly: Jason Terry's brother, Curtis, is among the invitees to the summer-league camp. Curtis Terry played for UNLV and may be extended an invitation to the Las Vegas camp, pending how the practices go this week.

All times Dallas time; all games are at COX Pavilion and will be televised on NBA TV; The first three games will be televised live on Ch. 21, with the final two at 7 p.m. on a tape delay.

All times Dallas time; all games at Lifetime Activities Center.