Darvin Ham, 34, is working for the Mavericks on a non-guaranteed contract during training camp, and he knows the odds of making the 15-man roster are stacked against him.

He's part of Avery Johnson's plan to toughen up the Mavericks, whether he does it himself or by teaching his teammates how to throw their weight around.

"He's gotten something from the fountain of youth," Johnson said. "He's jumping, he knows where to go, he knows how to play the pick-and-roll defenses, he has tons of energy.

"He's looking pretty good," Johnson said, adding that Ham will make it tough on the Mavs when it comes time to make cuts.