Dereck Lively II, the Dallas Mavericks' promising young center, is making strides in his recovery journey, having recently ditched the walking boot that's been a constant companion for much of the year. However, he's still taking it slow, not yet ready to hit the ground running after a series of right foot surgeries.
Lively, who spent a lively afternoon with a group of about 100 young basketball enthusiasts at a Mavericks camp, shared that there's no rush to return to the court. "I’m taking my time," he remarked.
"I’m taking even more time than I need to make sure I don’t ever have to deal with this foot again. So whenever I can get past that, get over this hill, I know I’ll be stress-free."
Drafted 12th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, Lively quickly made his presence felt with the Mavericks. His rookie season stats-7.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and a block per game-were instrumental during Dallas' 2024 playoff journey, which saw them bow out to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.
Yet, injuries have cast a shadow over Lively’s burgeoning career, limiting him to just 43 games over the past two seasons. A stress fracture in his right ankle curtailed his second season to 36 games, followed by a surgery in July 2025 to remove pesky bone spurs from the same foot.
Though he was ready to start last season, another surgery in December limited his appearances to just seven games. With three months left before the Mavericks' training camp kicks off, Lively is cautious but hopeful.
"I’m just waiting to see if my foot is good," he said. "Even when it’s good, I have to wait even more to make sure I don’t have to deal with this again.
I’m not going to rush back or worry about that."
Throughout this challenging period, Lively has found a mentor in former Mavericks center Tyson Chandler, a vital cog in Dallas’ 2011 championship team. "He’s helped me stay centered and focused on what I need to be worried about," Lively explained.
"And that’s what I can control. My diet.
That’s definitely been a big change."
Lively’s commitment to his recovery is evident in his daily routine, which includes walking or swimming to hit 10,000 to 15,000 steps a day. He's focused on staying in shape, becoming more flexible, and building strength. As he prepares for his eventual comeback, Lively is determined to remind everyone of his capabilities, confident that when he returns, he'll be back stronger than ever.
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Dereck Lively IIs recovery has become a quiet but important subplot for the Mavericks as they move deeper into the summer. Dallas entered the offseason with the idea that its center depth was manageable, but Livelys slower-than-expected progress has complicated that picture and forced the front office to think harder about how much pressure it can place on the middle of the roster.
That matters because it changes the calculus around Daniel Gafford, who had been a realistic trade candidate in a crowded frontcourt. If the Mavericks cant count on Lively to be ready for the start of the regular season, leaning on rookie Morez Johnson Jr. for meaningful minutes becomes a much tougher sell, and it could push Dallas toward other roster fixes instead, including a possible look at Marvin Bagley III or even a different trade path. [Read more 🡒]
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What makes the situation tricky is that Gaffords market has not matched the kind of return Dallas would need to justify moving him. His offense has limitations, and his rim protection is not viewed as perfect enough to boost his value the way the Mavericks might want. With Dereck Lively II looming as a possible centerpiece of the front line, Dallas now has to decide whether Gafford fits the next phase or becomes a player they hold onto while waiting for the market to change. [Read more 🡒]
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