Dereck Lively II’s Future in Dallas Is Clouded by Injury Concerns-and a Major Offseason Decision Looms
When the Dallas Mavericks drafted Dereck Lively II with the 12th overall pick in 2023, they weren’t just adding another young big-they were betting on a cornerstone. A 7-foot-1 shot-blocker with elite mobility and a high basketball IQ, Lively II brought a level of defensive promise that Dallas had sorely lacked in recent years.
And early on, he lived up to the hype. When healthy, Lively II looked every bit the future anchor of the Mavericks' frontcourt.
But that’s the problem-“when healthy” has become the caveat that now defines his young career.
Now, with the 21-year-old set to miss the remainder of the current season due to foot surgery, the Mavericks are staring down a tough decision: Do they offer Lively II a contract extension this offseason, or do they hold off and let things play out?
A Rare Situation for a Lottery Pick
It’s not often that a lottery pick of Lively II’s caliber heads into Year 4 without an extension. Typically, if a team sees long-term value in a young player, especially one who’s shown flashes of high-level impact, they lock him up before restricted free agency becomes a factor. But Lively II’s injury history has complicated that timeline.
This isn’t about a lack of skill. Lively II has already shown he can be a difference-maker-his rim protection, pick-and-roll defense, and vertical spacing on offense have all stood out.
He even played a key role during the Mavericks’ Finals run two seasons ago, earning praise for his poise and presence in high-pressure moments. That playoff experience only added to the belief that he could be a foundational piece moving forward.
But fast forward to now, and the narrative has shifted. Injuries have mounted.
Availability has become a question mark. And with foot surgery now ending his season, the Mavericks are being forced to weigh potential against durability.
The Flagg Factor and a Franchise at a Crossroads
There’s another layer to all this: the Mavericks are reportedly eyeing a major trade that could shift the direction of the franchise-potentially one involving Cooper Flagg, the highly touted prospect already being viewed as a future face of the league. If Dallas makes a move to acquire Flagg, it could signal the beginning of a rebuild or at least a significant retooling around younger talent.
In that context, Lively II’s extension becomes even more complicated. Do the Mavericks want to tie up long-term money in a center who has yet to prove he can stay on the court consistently? Or do they wait, let him play out his fourth year, and reassess after the 2026-27 season, when he’d hit restricted free agency?
It’s a tough call. On one hand, letting Lively II enter the final year of his rookie deal without an extension could be perceived as a lack of faith in his future. On the other, it might be a prudent move for a team trying to maintain flexibility as it reshapes its roster.
Talent Isn’t the Question-Availability Is
What makes this situation so tricky is that Lively II has already shown he belongs. He’s not a project.
He’s not a question mark in terms of ability. He’s a legitimate NBA center with the tools to thrive in today’s game.
But the best ability, as the saying goes, is availability-and that’s where the concern lies.
For a team that’s trying to build around Luka Dončić and possibly a generational talent like Flagg, every roster spot and every dollar matters. Committing to a player who’s struggled to stay healthy could limit Dallas’ options down the line.
Still, it’s hard to ignore what Lively II brings when he’s on the floor. He’s a natural fit next to high-usage guards, a lob threat who doesn’t need the ball to be effective, and a rim protector who can switch onto smaller players when needed.
There’s a reason the Mavericks believed in him enough to take him in the lottery. But belief only goes so far when injuries keep interrupting development.
A Defining Offseason Decision
As the Mavericks head into what could be a franchise-defining offseason, the conversation around Lively II’s extension is one of the more fascinating subplots. If Dallas makes a major trade and leans into a youth movement, Lively II could still very much be part of that future-if he can stay healthy.
But if the team decides to hold off on an extension, it would send a clear message: the Mavericks need to see more, not in terms of talent, but in terms of reliability.
One way or another, Dallas has to make a call. And that decision could say a lot about where this franchise is headed-and how much they still believe in the big man they once saw as a building block.