Mavericks' Dereck Lively II trade debate just met its answer

There's no question that the Dallas Mavericks are off to a poor start this season. The Mavs are struggling to find their true identity, as many players have suffered injuries, causing a setback to a team geared with high expectations. However, if there is any silver lining to their season, it's that Cooper Flagg is a star in the making.

Flagg had one of his best games on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans, when he scored a career-high 29 points, had seven rebounds, and five assists. One thing that stood out was his ability to finish at the rim. Flagg was able to use his finesse to attack the basket, and the NBA should be afraid of his future development.

Flagg's growth should excite Mavs' fans. His current skills and assets give Dallas hope for the future, as he is definitely someone they can build around. This means players like Dereck Lively will be untradeable, as they will be important pieces for the Mavs' future with Flagg. The team can help develop the young talent, such as Lively II, to help kickstart the Flagg era in Dallas.

Dereck Lively II trades should be off the table in Dallas

There is no doubt that Lively II has had an up-and-down career with the Dallas Mavericks. The team traded for Lively II on draft night, and he played a key role in helping the Mavs advance to the 2024 NBA Finals during his rookie year. He showed plenty of promise in his first year, earning NBA All-Rookie second team honors.

However, injuries have taken their toll on Lively II. Last season, Lively II played in 36 games, as he missed a large chunk of the second half of the season due to a stress fracture in his right ankle. He would end up getting surgery to clean up bone spurs in his foot over the summer.

Fast forward to this season, and things seemed promising for the Mavs' young center. Yet, that hasn't been the case. Lively II has already missed 10 games this season, as he has been on minute restrictions since his return. There has only been one game this season in where Lively II has played above 20 minutes. So, it's no wonder the team might consider trading their young center.

Dallas, though, must stay away from any trades involving Lively II. His development and growth will be important to Flagg's future. Remember, Lively II is one of the best pick-and-roll finishers in the game, and pairing him with Flagg could work wonders for the Mavs' future. Of course, this will hinge on Lively II's ability to stay healthy.

If you recall, Flagg and Lively II already established a relationship before the beginning of the season. The two players were spotted at the State Fair of Texas. They munched on food and created a much-needed bond and connection, even though they had already had something in common since they both went to Duke.

So, it's clear the Mavs need Lively II for the future, as he'll be important for the development of Cooper Flagg. The future duo could provide the Mavs with a solid foundation to build around.

Basically, the Dallas Mavericks can't afford to trade Dereck Lively II. He must stay on the roster, as the team will need him to be a key piece in the Cooper Flagg era. It'll be up to Lively II, though, to stay healthy and prove his worth for the Mavs' future. Either way, the team has a duo lined up for the long term.