Mavericks, Dereck Lively II Discussing Rookie Scale Extension

Stein cautions that the contract talks are at an “early stage,” and notes that the deadline for a deal being completed is the day before the 2026/27 regular season begins in October. Lively will be on track for restricted free agency next summer if an extension isn’t reached.

It’s an interesting development, as the 22-year-old big man has been plagued by right foot problems for the better part of 19 months. Lively missed extended time in 2024/25 due to a stress fracture in his foot/ankle area, then underwent surgery on his right foot last July.

Although he was cleared to return for opening night in 2025/26, Lively continued to be plagued by health problems, missing a nine-game stretch in October and November due to a right knee sprain, then battling nagging discomfort in his right foot. That lingering pain caused him to undergo season-ending surgery in December.

Lively was limited to just seven games played last season after appearing in 36 contests in 2024/25. He made the All-Rookie second team in 2023/24 after averaging 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 74.5% from the field in 55 games, including 42 starts (23.5 minutes per game).

Notably, Lively also played a key bench role in Dallas’ run to the NBA Finals in 2024. He averaged 7.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG and 1.0 BPG in 21 playoff games that year (22.0 MPG).

Lively, who was selected 12th overall in the 2023 draft after one college season at Duke, said at the end of June that he was out of walking boot but that he hadn’t been cleared to run or jump yet.

“I went from being on a scooter, to two crutches, to one crutch, to just a boot, and now to be able to walk,” Lively said, per Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I’m really just thankful for the small milestones.”

Lively also brushed aside any concerns about his durability going forward, Afseth noted last month.

“If I’ve got to take what the fans or the public have to say about me, that I’m brittle or all that, cool,” Lively said. “But whenever I come back, don’t forget who I am.”