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Stein: DAL, Lively engage in early extension talks

Dereck Lively II_800_1080-899348468d2d4cf7.png

Dereck Lively

DAL Center #2

Player Stats

NBA insider Marc Stein reports that the Mavericks and Dereck Lively II have had some “early-stage talks” regarding a contract extension.

While Lively finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2024 as part of a team that reached the NBA Finals, injuries have been a major issue in his three seasons. The 7-foot-1 center has struggled with right foot injuries, most recently appearing in just seven games last season before undergoing surgery. With Daniel Gafford on the squad and the Mavericks having added Santi Aldama and rookie Morez Johnson Jr., the team has options in the frontcourt. Lively and the Mavericks have until just before the start of the 2026-27 regular season to agree on a new deal. If they can’t, he will be a restricted free agent next summer. Lively can be a productive option for fantasy managers, but the injury concerns may make him someone not worth the risk in standard leagues.

- Raphielle Johnson

Source: Marc Stein

More Dereck Lively News

Black, da Silva are possible Banchero replacements

With Paolo Banchero out for 4-6 weeks with an ankle injury, Eric Samulski says that Anthony Black and Tristan da Silva could see more minutes for the Magic and be positive additions for a fantasy roster.

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Dereck Lively

DAL Center #2

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Dereck Lively II (foot) reportedly has still not been cleared for training camp.

Lively underwent season-ending surgery in December after playing in just seven games last season. It’s unclear what his status will be as the regular season approaches, though he hasn’t suffered any setbacks. It just takes time for a big man to recover from a major foot surgery, and they don’t want to rush him back and risk further injury. If he isn’t available for the season opener, Daniel Gafford should be locked in as the starting center, and even if Lively is available, Gafford still may start if they opt to bring Lively along slowly.
Anthony Davis

DAL Forward-Center #3

Anthony Davis finished Friday’s win over the Nets with 24 points (10-of-21 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), 14 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocked shots.

After a subpar first half in which he tallied four points, three rebounds and three assists, Davis flipped the switch. The Mavericks forward/center accounted for 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots in the second half, and the final stat line may lead some to believe that Davis was steady throughout. With Dereck Lively II done for the season and Daniel Gafford limited by an ankle injury, Davis will have to serve as the Mavericks’ anchor in the middle. And when he’s up for it, the veteran post is still one of the best in the NBA. Dallas does not play again until Monday against the Jazz.
Dereck Lively

DAL Center #2

ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Dereck Lively II will undergo season-ending surgery on his right foot.

Lively was reportedly seeking other opinions last week, which is never a positive sign. He’s expected to make a full recovery, but after appearing in just seven games, his third year in the NBA will end up as a lost one. Anthony Davis will be asked to spend more time at center, especially when Daniel Gafford isn’t available. There will also be extra minutes for Moussa Cisse and Dwight Powell, though only as depth pieces. Lively will only be 22 years old at the start of next season and will be an enticing option in fantasy hoops. However, he can be safely dropped in redraft leagues at this point.
Dereck Lively

DAL Center #2

Dereck Lively II (foot) is seeking other opinions regarding the next steps in his recovery process.

Lively has been sidelined since November 21 and has no concrete return timeline. With the third-year center still dealing with discomfort and swelling in his right foot, he should be considered out indefinitely until the Mavericks announce otherwise. Fantasy managers who can afford to do so should continue to stash Lively in an IL+ slot. However, those dealing with multiple injuries may need to move on due to the uncertainty.
Daniel Gafford

DAL Forward-Center #21

Daniel Gafford (ankle) will not return to Wednesday’s game against the Heat.

Gafford continues to attempt to play through a lingering right ankle injury. Unfortunately, he had to leave Wednesday’s game during the third quarter and has since been ruled out for the rest of the night. With Dallas’ Week 7 slate concluding with a Friday/Saturday back-to-back, the few who have Gafford rostered should anticipate him missing at least one of those games. With Dereck Lively also out, that means more Anthony Davis at the center position as long as he’s able to play back-to-backs, which may not be the case.
Dereck Lively

DAL Center #2

Dereck Lively II (foot) will miss the next three games.

Following a Marc Stein report that Lively was feared to miss extended time with a foot injury, the Mavericks provided a formal update on the 21-year-old center’s health. Lively is set to miss the team’s upcoming three games and another update will be provided in 7-10 days. Until then, Daniel Gafford will start at center for Dallas.
Dereck Lively

DAL Center #2

NBA Insider Marc Stein reports Dereck Lively II (foot) is feared to miss extended time.

Lively was held out of Monday’s loss to the Heat with right foot injury management after having offseason foot surgery. Now the 21-year-old center is feared to miss an extended portion of the season, according to Stein. Daniel Gafford will continue to start at center with Lively out and Anthony Davis is due back soon to strengthen the frontcourt.
Dereck Lively

DAL Center #2

Dereck Lively II (knee) is out for Saturday’s game against the Grizzlies.

Lively had four points in 18 minutes in the Mavericks’ win over the Pelicans on Friday night. The 21-year-old center is going to miss the second game of a back-to-back against the Grizzlies on Saturday for injury management reasons. Daniel Gafford will start at center with Lively out.
Dereck Lively

DAL Center #2

Dereck Lively II (knee) is available for Friday’s game against the Pelicans.

Lively had four points and 10 rebounds in 18 minutes in Wednesday’s game against the Knicks. The 21-year-old center has been active for three of the last four Mavericks games following his return from a right knee injury. Lively and Daniel Gafford handle the center duties against the Pelicans on Friday.
Klay Thompson

DAL Guard #31

Brandon Williams, Klay Thompson, Max Christie, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II will start Wednesday’s game against the Knicks.

Due to injuries, the Mavericks have made two changes to their starting lineup. Cooper Flagg (illness) will miss a game for the first time, with Thompson returning to the starting five. The other change is Lively, who is back after missing Monday’s loss to the Timberwolves. His return means Moussa Cisse will head to the bench, but he isn’t guaranteed rotation minutes since Daniel Gafford is also available.

Rotoworld

Jaxson Hayes

UTA Center-Forward #11
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Jaxson Hayes (shoulder) is questionable for Monday’s game against the Grizzlies.

Hayes is listed as questionable with shoulder soreness for Monday’s game against the Grizzlies. If he’s ruled out, Kyle Filipowski could see some bench minutes, but still isn’t worth rostering in fantasy leagues.
- Nick Shlain

Injury

Source: Utah Jazz

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Nikola Topić

OKC Guard #44
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Nikola Topić (back) and Thomas Sorber (knee) are out for Monday’s game against the Suns.

Both Topić and Sorber are yet to appear in a game due to injuries. Neither is worth rostering outside of dynasty formats.
- Nick Shlain

Injury
Thomas Sorber
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Oso Ighodaro

PHX Forward #11
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Oso Ighodaro (oblique) is out for Monday’s game against the Thunder.

No surprise here as Ighodaro was initially listed as doubtful and has since been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Thunder. Khaman Maluach started and had nine points and nine rebounds with Ighodaro out against the Warriors on Saturday. Maluach is likely to start again Monday.
- Nick Shlain

Injury
Khaman Maluach
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Jaylin Williams

OKC Forward #6
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Jaylin Williams (wrist) isn’t on the injury report ahead of Monday’s game against the Suns.

Williams played only five minutes in Sunday’s win over the Clippers before he left and didn’t return with a sore wrist. Off the injury report Monday, Williams should be more involved with Chet Holmgren (knee) ruled out.
- Nick Shlain

Injury

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Cason Wallace

OKC Guard #22
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Cason Wallace (shoulder) is out for Monday’s game against the Suns.

Wallace left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury and didn’t return. He’ll subsequently miss Monday’s game against the Bucks. Ajay Mitchell is certainly a candidate for more minutes and potentially a starting spot with Wallace sidelined.
- Nick Shlain

Injury
Ajay Mitchell
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Jalen Suggs

ORL Guard #4
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ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Jalen Suggs (knee) will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Suggs was diagnosed with a mild bone bruise in his right knee, according to Charania. He’ll be re-evaluated in two weeks. Suggs hyperextended his right knee and was helped to the locker room during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Knicks. This is seems to be good news for Suggs, who appears to have avoided a more serious injury.
- Nick Shlain

Injury

Source: Shams Charania

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Chet Holmgren

OKC Center-Forward #7
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Chet Holmgren (knee) is out for Monday’s game against the Suns.

Holmgren is dealing with right patellar tendonitis. Isaiah Hartenstein stepped up with 12 points and 12 rebounds in the win over the Clippers Sunday while Holmgren had a relatively quiet game with 10 points and four rebounds. Hartenstein should see even more usage with Holmgren out Monday against the Suns.
- Nick Shlain

Injury
Isaiah Hartenstein
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T.J. McConnell

IND Guard #9
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T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is out for Monday’s game against the Bucks.

McConnell is still yet to appear in a game due to a hamstring injury. With McConnell out and Andrew Nembhard questionable (neck), Quenton Jackson could see some more minutes off the bench.
- Nick Shlain

Injury

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Ivica Zubac

IND Center #40
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Ivica Zubac (ankle) is out for Monday’s game against the Bucks.

No surprise here as Zubac played only seven minutes after injuring his ankle in Sunday’s win over the Nets and was seen leaving the arena on crutches. The good news is the x-rays were negative and Zubac appears to have avoided a long-term injury. Jay Huff should get the start in Zubac’s absence and is worth streaming.
- Nick Shlain

Injury
Jay Huff
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Aaron Nesmith

IND Guard-Forward #23
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Aaron Nesmith (hamstring) is probable for Monday’s game against the Bucks.

Nesmith is likely to play Monday given his probable tag and he could even remain in the starting lineup. Still, he’s an unexciting player for fantasy purposes.
- Nick Shlain

Injury

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