The Dallas Mavericks still have a big question hanging over their frontcourt as training camp approaches: Dereck Lively II won’t be cleared to start it.
Lively, a former first-round pick on a $22 million rookie contract, has been one of the more promising young pieces in Dallas. He played a major role in the Mavericks’ run to the 2024 NBA Finals, and Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz pegged him as a breakout candidate. Swartz pointed to Lively’s size, rim protection, and the kind of lob game that could make him a natural target for Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving.
“It feels like we've known about Dereck Lively II for a long time, as the 22-year-old center was a key piece of the Dallas Mavericks' run to the 2024 NBA Finals,” Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz wrote. “If he can make a full recovery before the start of the season (there's been no official report yet), Lively has elite rim protection potential at 7'1" and should become a favorite lob target of Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving.”
That upside is still very real. The problem is getting Lively healthy enough to show it.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that the center’s right foot has been an issue for a while, with the injury requiring surgery twice in the past 14 months. MacMahon also noted that the foot problems have interrupted what looked like a bright start to his career.
“After playing a key role as a rookie in the Mavericks' run to the 2024 NBA Finals, Lively's promising career has been derailed by recurring problems with his right foot, which has been surgically repaired twice in the past 14 months,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon wrote.
MacMahon later added that Lively still hasn’t been cleared for camp, though there have not been any setbacks. He is working his way back gradually and has started ramping up toward basketball activity.
“Dereck Lively II (foot) has not been cleared for training camp, per Tim MacMahon. Lively hasn't suffered any setbacks and is slowly ramping up to begin basketball activity.”
For Dallas, the timing is the issue. The team wants Lively back as soon as possible, but there is no clear sign yet that he’ll be ready anytime soon. Even getting him back for the start of the regular season feels uncertain at this point.
When he is right, Lively gives the Mavericks exactly what they need: a big body who can run the floor, finish at the rim, and create a dangerous target in the paint. Right now, though, the focus has to be patience. His recovery will be one of the key things to watch throughout training camp.
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