A little more than two months ago, Daniel Gafford was asked who among his Dallas Mavericks teammates would have a breakout season.
His pick was Dereck Lively II, with whom he’s shared the starting center spot since joining the team at the 2024 trade deadline.
On Wednesday, we learned Gafford’s choice won’t have a chance to come to fruition. Lively will undergo surgery to repair a lingering foot injury, ending his third NBA season after he appeared in just seven of the Mavericks’ first 25 games.
The injury is tied to a longstanding issue that started in January, when Lively was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right ankle.
Mavericks
Losing another player for the remainder of the season is a familiar story not only for the Mavericks, but also for Lively, a talented young center who has played in only 98 out of a possible 189 regular-season games.
Lively’s latest injury could have long-term ramifications for the Mavericks, who will have decisions to make before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Not much will change in the short term for the Mavericks, who’ve been without Lively since a Nov. 21 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Coach Jason Kidd will continue to use the “next man up” philosophy with Anthony Davis as the starting center, at least until Gafford returns from a lingering ankle sprain.
Gafford, who signed a tradable three-year extension with the Mavericks during the offseason, is vitally important to the franchise as the best center on the roster. Veteran big man Dwight Powell and two-way rookie Moussa Cisse are also options for Kidd.
Gafford averages 8.9 points and 6.4 rebounds with 1.4 blocks in 15 games this season. While he could garner trade interest from rival teams, the Mavericks need him as a formidable rim protector and lob threat to pair either alongside Davis or as the team’s backup center for the rest of the season.
The Mavericks could choose to trade him, but that would signal a pivot to an immediate rebuild around 18-year-old rookie forward Cooper Flagg.
There’s also the elephant in the room: Davis’ future in Dallas. Despite minority shareholder Mark Cuban’s declaration that the team isn’t looking to trade the All-Star big man, the team is expected to evaluate the roster before deciding whether Davis fits the team’s long-term plans.
Dallas will be eligible to apply for a $2.6 million disabled player exception for Lively, according to an ESPN report. If granted, the Mavericks could sign or trade for a player with one year left on his contract. Dallas would need to have an open roster spot and fit the salary under the second apron.
The Mavericks have a full roster with 15 standard contracts, but there is a strong belief they will convert two-way rookie Ryan Nembhard to a standard deal once eligible. If so, the Mavericks will be required to release a player.
It’s unclear if Lively’s season-ending injury and the option for a disabled player exception change those plans, but the Mavericks have plenty of time to figure out the best course of action.
Lively isn’t the only Maverick who will miss an extended amount of time. The team ruled Dante Exum out for the entire season last month because he needs a follow-up surgery to address complications from an offseason right knee procedure. Star guard Kyrie Irving remains sidelined while he recovers from ACL surgery on his left leg.
The Mavericks will also have to consider Lively’s future with the team after a premature ending to yet another season riddled with injuries.
Here is a quick look at Lively’s injuries since entering the NBA that have sidelined him for at least a week:
InjuryTime missed2025-26 seasonRight foot discomfortNov. 23 – presentRight knee sprainOct. 28 – Nov. 152024-25 seasonRight ankle injury managementApril 5, 2025 – April 14, 2025Stress fracture; right ankleJan. 16, 2025 – March 4, 2025Shoulder injuryNov. 4, 2024 – Nov. 12, 20242023-24 seasonLeg injuryApril 2, 2024 – April 20, 2024Broken noseJan. 31, 2024 – Feb. 14, 2024AnkleJan. 1, 2024 – Jan. 12, 2024AnkleDec. 18, 2023 – Dec. 26, 2023
The Mavericks exercised their team option on Lively’s contract for the 2026-27 season before the season began. He is eligible for a rookie extension in the summer, but if no agreement is reached, he’ll become a restricted free agent during the 2027 offseason.
Mavericks co-interim general manager Matt Riccardi expressed the franchise’s support for Lively as he prepares for another challenging road back to the court.
“Dereck has handled every challenge of this season with professionalism and resilience,” Riccardi said in a prepared statement. “While this is a setback, we’re confident in his long-term future and will support him fully through his recovery.”
The Mavericks expect Lively to be healthy enough to participate in next season’s training camp, the start of what will become a pivotal contract year.
Until then, they’ll navigate life without him.
On Twitter/X: @MikeACurtis2
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