Dereck Lively II's potential with the Mavericks hinges on something he can't control

Dereck Lively II's rookie year with the Dallas Mavericks was a masterclass. He averaged a career-high 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 74.7 percent from the field, and Mavs fans fell in love with his game right away. Lively II was everything they needed after missing the playoffs in 2023.

Why Dereck Lively II's rookie year was so special

While the stats were impressive for the No. 12 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, his impact stretched way beyond the stat sheet. Lively II ran the floor hard, was elite in the pick-and-roll as a finisher, flashed solid passing out of the short roll, and anchored the Mavs' NBA Finals defense as a 7-foot-1 20-year-old. His potential was off the charts, and he seemingly got better every game that he played in.

D-Live had the makings of Dallas' center of the future, but one concerning part of his rookie year was his health. The former Duke Blue Devil played just 55 games due to various injuries, and his games played per season have plummeted since then. His impact has hinged on something that is out of his control.

Lively II's durability is concerning

He has done his due diligence to try to stay healthy, but luck has just not been on his side. Dallas' former medical department misdiagnosed a stress fracture in his foot as an ankle sprain during his second season. Nothing has been easy for Dallas' defensive anchor since his rookie year, and the numbers back this up.

Lively II played 36 games as a sophomore and seven games in his third season. His injuries continue to become more concerning, as early lower-body injuries are typically a red flag for young big men, and Lively II's health will ultimately determine the type of player he can become in Dallas.

Why Lively II still has hope in Dallas

If Lively II can stay healthy, his floor is legitimately a high-level starter on a championship team. He was the Mavericks' best center as a rookie, played real minutes in the playoffs, and flashed star potential. His versatility on defense makes him a nightmare matchup for opposing players, and his skill as a passer and quiet upside as a shooter made him look like one of the best young big men in the NBA.

It's not normal for rookie big men to be that NBA-ready right away, and that's what made Lively II's first season so special. The moment was never too big for him, he was an incredible teammate, and brought exactly what the Mavericks had been missing for such a long time.

Lively II's future hinges on staying healthy

Two years later, he has played only 43 games since Dallas reached the NBA Finals. Lively II's young career has unfortunately been held back by injuries, and if he can become more durable, Dallas has their future starting center right in front of them.

Their young core would then be headlined by Cooper Flagg, Lively II, Morez Johnson Jr., Zaccharie Risacher, and Max Christie. This is a solid group considering everything that the Mavs have been through over the last few years, and Lively II has a chance to cement himself as one of the franchise's cornerstones if he can remain healthy.

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