Dereck

Lively

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.