Dereck Lively II is already making it impossible for Jason Kidd to bench him

On Monday night in the Dallas Mavericks' first preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Kidd decided to roll with the same starting center that he played for the entire playoffs and most of the final stretch last season.

Daniel Gafford started the game and finished with two points and two rebounds, but Dallas' backup big from Monday is who stole the show.

Dereck Lively II checked into the game less than five minutes after it started, and he quickly showed why it would be impossible for Kidd to have him come off the bench this season.

Lively II is the clear-cut starting center for Dallas

Lively II finished with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in Monday night's loss while shooting 5-5 from the field, and all of his hard work from the summer was on full display for Mavs fans to see.

Lively II started the game off by making two layups through contact, and this set the tone for the rest of the first half. He later had back-to-back dunks in the second quarter, one being off a lob from Spencer Dinwiddie, and both of these plays caused the American Airlines Center to erupt with cheers.

Lively II is always bringing the energy, and both of those monster dunks in transition got the team and the crowd energized.

While both of Lively II's dunks were impressive and exciting, his best play of the night came later in the second quarter. Lively caught the ball on the opposite free throw line, dribbled the ball all the way up the floor, and finished with an and-one layup at the rim following a spin move on Brandon Clarke.

This was the play of the night for the Mavs, and this play alone shows how much Lively II's game has grown. Being able to keep a live dribble, push the ball himself, and finish through contact at the rim was intriguing, and his skill set looks to have expanded heading into this season.

Defensively, Lively II's length and presence were disruptive as it always is, but his offensive performance is what stuck out to fans. He even sunk a hook shot while posting up a smaller player, and this shows his work this summer on trying to "own the paint." Lively II was focused on improving on his scoring in the paint this summer, and this was one of the standouts from his game early on at camp according to Kidd.

With this type of performance in just 14 minutes, Kidd is going to have a hard time keeping Lively II out of the starting lineup. After the game, Kidd clarified that he just "wanted to see something different," when asked about his decision to start Gafford while looking at the different rotations and combinations.

Kidd emphasized that Lively II and Gafford's vibes as a tandem continue to be great as they are always supporting each other from the bench, and he also added that Lively II will likely start in Gafford's place on Thursday.

Kidd has a great problem on his hands when it comes to having two starting-caliber centers on this roster, and while Gafford is great off the bench, this looks like it is going to be Lively II's job now. Kidd has already confirmed that Lively II will start at center to begin the season, and he continues to illustrate that it is going to be hard to keep him off the floor for the 2024-25 season.