The Dallas Mavericks are a week away from opening the regular season against the Houston Rockets, but there are still some injuries they're trying to get through. Santi Aldama happens to be one of those players, as he's still recovering from right knee surgery. Head coach Dusty May was recently asked about Aldama's progress ahead of their final preseason game, and it sounds like he's close to returning.

“He's getting close. I don't know if that's tomorrow or the next day,” May said via Ron Harrod Jr. of DLLS Mavs. “That's all I know as of right now. So will he be ready in a week? There's a possibility.”

There's no telling when Aldama will be able to return to the court, and for the time being, it'll be next man up for the group. The Mavericks have the frontcourt depth that could help fill Aldama's void, and players such as PJ Washington will probably get more minutes to start the season.

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This is a young group that May will be coaching with a sprinkle of veterans. They were able to acquire Zaccharie Risacher in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks during the offseason, and they'll try to get the most out of him. After their game against the New Orleans Pelicans, May shared what he wants to see from Risacher this season, and what he liked from him in the game.

“The things that he's been able to hang his hat on consistently: The offensive rebounding piece and running the lanes in transition,” May said via The Smoking Cuban's Noah Weber. “Him as an off-ball cutter. He made open shots. He just looked extremely comfortable. Just picking his spots, understanding who's on the floor each and every possession. He's someone who can impact the game in a lot of ways.”