The Dallas Mavericks just made a move that’s gonna have fans talking for a minute: they passed on extending Dereck Lively II before the rookie-scale deadline. Yeah, you heard that right. This means after the 2026-27 season, he’s hitting restricted free agency if Dallas doesn’t lock him up beforehand. On the surface, that looks absolutely wild, right?
The Rookie Flash That Blew Us Away
Think back to his rookie year. The dude was phenomenal. Absolutely awesome. He stepped onto the court and instantly looked like the center the Mavs could build around for years, maybe even a decade. He was finishing lobs with authority, protecting the rim like a seasoned vet, and became a crucial piece of a team that clawed its way all the way to the NBA Finals. All-Rookie team, no problem. One of the best picks of the 2023 draft, hands down. He looked like a steal, a cornerstone.
The Problem That Changed Everything
But here’s the cold, hard truth, the reason behind the decision, the two words I was talking about: “when healthy.” Because here’s the problem: he’s barely been available since that incredible rookie season. He played only 36 games in 2024-25, and then last season, it was a brutal seven games before he went down with season-ending foot surgery. Now, he’s entering this season still working his way back, and get this, he’s out at the start of the year. That’s the whole ballgame right there. The Mavs know what Lively can do, we’ve all seen it. But giving a guy a three-, four-, or five-year contract when he’s played so little basketball over the last two seasons? That’s not just a bet, that’s a full-on gamble.
This Season Is Everything Now
There’s a massive risk for Dallas, too, obviously. If Lively somehow gets healthy, plays 65 games, and looks exactly like the rim-running, shot-blocking force they drafted, then oh man, the Mavs are gonna be kicking themselves for not buying low. A healthy 22-year-old center who’s proven he can hang in the Finals is going to command a huge market. His value could absolutely skyrocket. Dallas basically just bet that waiting is worth that insane risk. The good news? He’s a restricted free agent, not unrestricted. So, if another team comes in with a massive offer, Dallas can match it and keep him. It won’t be cheap, no way, but at least they won’t lose him for absolutely nothing. Still, this season is everything for him now. He’s gotta prove “when healthy” is a phrase of the past.
It’s a tough call for sure. I get why Dallas did it. I also get why it could look absolutely terrible down the road. Lively has already shown us his ceiling, but “when healthy” has become the biggest part of every single conversation about him. For now, the Mavs are making him earn that long-term bag again, starting right now, whenever he finally steps back on the court.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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