Mavericks' biggest X factor next season isn't who you expect

There are many players that could qualify as an X factor for the Dallas Mavericks next season, but there isn't a greater candidate than Dereck Lively II, and this isn't something that most fans would expect, as they'd point to someone like Kyrie Irving or new acquisitions Zaccharie Risacher and Santi Aldama as Dallas' biggest X factor.

For starters, Lively II doesn't project to be ready for the start of the regular season. Though there's been no official update on his status from the Mavericks recently, he was at a Mavericks youth camp earlier this summer, where he had notably shed his walking boot, but also established that he hadn't progressed to running yet, and didn't provide any sort of timetable for his return to play.

Dereck Lively II will be the Mavericks' biggest X factor

Taking these factors into account, it seems unlikely he'd be ready for the start of training camp unless he's made some tremendous strides since then, but this obviously doesn't mean he won't play at all next season.

The main reason Lively II is Dallas' biggest X factor is because him being healthy for a good chunk of next season could drastically change the Mavericks' ceiling, and it could also make trading Daniel Gafford a lot easier of a pill to swallow if that's a direction the Mavericks ultimately opt to go in.

While there's still to work to be done in Lively II's offensive game, he's one of the best rim protectors in the league when he's fully engaged and healthy, and it's not too long ago he was Dallas' best option at center through a four-round playoff run where Dallas lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals.

Lively II's ability to stay healthy is beyond crucial

Lively II showed absurd potential as a rookie, and he's still only 22 years old, even if lower right-foot injuries have unfortunately shaped the start of his career in the last two seasons. Lively II getting back into form would do leaps and bounds for the Mavericks' trajectory next season.

He's arguably an even better rim protector than Gafford when at his peak, and the Duke connection he could establish with Irving and Cooper Flagg in the pick and roll is there for the taking, especially if he continues to fine-tune his ability to finish around the rim and be a hub of production for Dallas' offense in the short roll.

They're a lot of factors at play for Lively II to get back to the player fans saw from him in his rookie season, including how quickly he can get back on the court this season, as well as if he can sustain good health and production once he comes back.

This season is a make-or-break year for Lively II and his future in Dallas

However, if Dallas were to get off to a hot start and Lively II is a big part of that, that means he's playing like one of the best two-way bigs in the association, and also probably means the Mavericks would be more privy to shopping someone like Gafford in order to land another secondary creator at the guard spot.

The Mavericks supposedly have begun exploratory talks on a contract extension for Lively II, as he's in the last year of his rookie deal this upcoming season. It would be a shame if Lively II's season goes south once again, as he's one of Dallas' only big pieces under 25 years old that projects to fit with Flagg for the long-term.

While Dallas is bound to be careful in these preemptive talks due to health concerns, it would be best for both sides if he doesn't reach restricted free agency next summer, which furthermore adds to why he's a huge X factor for next season, as well as why this could be a career-defining season for the young big man.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow