Mavericks finalize no-brainer sleeper move ahead of season opener

Earlier this week, the Dallas Mavericks exercised their fourth-year team option on Dereck Lively II for the 2026-27 season, meaning that his contract will expire after next season. If Dallas didn't believe in his future, they could've allowed his contract to expire after this season, but he'll remain a franchise cornerstone for at least the next two seasons.

Even with Daniel Gafford, Anthony Davis, and Cooper Flagg being major pieces of the Mavericks' future as well, Nico Harrison clearly believes in Lively II and what he can bring to the floor now and into the future, and this move was a no-brainer as Dallas kicks off the Flagg era tomorrow.

Lively II and Flagg are the Mavericks' two best young pieces, and fans will have a front row seat to seeing them grow alongside each other for years to come.

Mavericks double down on Dereck Lively II

It would be a major shock if Dallas didn't get a new deal done with Lively II next summer, as all of the chatter surrounding him from the organization has been overwhelmingly positive ever since they drafted him, and Harrison isn't afraid to put his money where his mouth is when it comes to players that he believes in. Harrison extended Gafford on a three-year contract earlier this offseason, further going all in on his double-big philosophy.

The Mavericks have built a monstrous frontcourt over the last year and a half, as they traded for Gafford, traded for Davis, and drafted Flagg in this span, and Lively II being in this mix for good is going to make them even stronger. It's extremely rare for highly-touted rookies not to have their fourth-year options picked up, and this move shouldn't shock anyone.

Last season for Dallas, Lively II averaged 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 70.2 percent from the field, and this season will be a major step in his career that ultimately could make or break his development. The key will be for him to stay healthy, as he only played in 91 games over his first two seasons in the league, and if he can do this, everything else will fall into place.

His offensive game is bound to take a step in the right direction, as his post game looked improved during the preseason, and him adding some self-creation skills to his offensive game is going to help him morph into a star. Early in his career, Lively II was mostly dependent on alley-oops to score on the offensive end, but him polishing his back-to-basket game and sprinkling in some post touches is going to make him even more valuable.

His presence on the other end is obvious, as he is one of the most feared young shot blockers in the Western Conference, and his game is coming together at the perfect time. He still has plenty of room to grow on both ends, as he is only 21 years old, but the foundation is there for him to turn into a top center of the NBA and have a huge season.