Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II still hasn’t been cleared to hit the court for training camp this Saturday, a full nine months after undergoing season-ending foot surgery last December. This isn’t just a bump in the road; it’s a major setback for a player who was supposed to be a cornerstone for the Mavs, especially after they publicly said he’d be “healthy in time for training camp.”
From Rookie Sensation To Sideline Staple: What Went Wrong
Man, this kid was electric coming out of the 2023 NBA Draft, picked 12th overall. As a rookie, Lively II played a significant role for Dallas, making 42 regular-season starts and hooking up with Daniel Gafford to form a potent center duo alongside Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. That squad even made the NBA Finals, remember? Lively’s efficiency numbers were insane: 1.39 points per possession out of the pick-and-roll and 1.48 points per possession as a cutter. Both were top-10 marks among high-volume players! His rim protection was legit too, holding opponents to 58.5% on attempts at the basket, putting him right in the conversation with guys like Evan Mobley and Bam Adebayo. He was a bright young big, poised for a massive leap in his sophomore season. Then, tragedy. A stress fracture in his right ankle midway through 2024-25, followed by multiple foot injuries and surgical repairs, have largely derailed his promising start. He’s only played 43 total games over the last two seasons, with a measly seven appearances in 2025-26. He hasn’t played since November 21st! Talk about a gut punch.
The Small Wins Aren’t Adding Up Fast Enough For Dallas
The Mavericks were optimistic after his latest surgery in December, expecting a full recovery by camp. But the process has definitely taken longer than anticipated. Back in early June, Lively II sounded upbeat on Myles Turner and Breanna Stewart’s podcast, saying he no longer needed a scooter, boot, crutches, or cane and was “getting back to building my lower leg strength.” Great, right? Not so fast. Just a few weeks later at a Mavericks youth camp, six months post-surgery, Lively II admitted he still wasn’t able to run or jump yet. “I am really just thankful for the small milestones,” he told the Dallas Morning News. “I’m able to move again, lift again and those things, it’s what I live on now. It’s those little wins is what I thrive on.” While new GM Mike Schmitz praised Lively II for “working his tail off” and being “in the facility constantly,” those “small milestones” just aren’t adding up to game readiness.
What This Means As The Season Tips Off For The Mavs
The reality is Dereck Lively II is still “ramping up toward being cleared for basketball activity,” according to ESPN. While the new Mavericks braintrust, led by Masai Ujiri, Schmitz, and new head coach Dusty May, isn’t necessarily discouraged, this status absolutely casts doubt on whether their fourth-year former lottery pick will be available when the 2026-27 NBA season tips off next month. This isn’t just about training camp anymore; this is about being ready for opening night. The Mavs need to figure out their plan B for the frontcourt fast. You gotta wonder how long they can afford to wait on a player who, despite all his promise, can’t stay on the floor.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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