Mavericks' Dereck Lively II approach looks smart as other extension rumors heat up

The Dallas Mavericks' deadline to sign Dereck Lively II to a rookie-scale extension is October 19, and it doesn't seem like they're going to give the young big man one.

Other players are more likely to be extended than Dereck Lively II

While there have been some talks between the two sides, recent reporting indicates that other players from that 2023 draft class are more likely to receive extensions than Lively, as rumors about who could be in for a payday over the next 12 days are heating up.

NBA insider Marc Stein discussed the looming rookie-scale contract extension deadline (subscription required), saying the most likely players from the 2023 class to be extended next "are No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller (Charlotte), No. 6 Anthony Black (Orlando), No. 10 Cason Wallace (Oklahoma City) and No. 19 Brandin Podziemski (Golden State)."

Stein also reported that the Portland Trail Blazers and Scoot Henderson have shared interest in an extension, as well as the Washington Wizards and Bilal Coulibaly. Nowhere does he mention Lively and Dallas.

Dallas looks ready to play the long game

Several players from this draft class have already been extended: Victor Wembanyama, Keyonte George, Amen Thompson, and Ausar Thompson. With Stein not including Lively in this list of players who are likely to get extended, Dallas seems more likely to wait rather than hand a contract extension to a player who has played just 43 games over the past two seasons.

Lively still isn't cleared to practice after undergoing foot surgery in December, meaning that his return to the hardwood could still be a ways away. Giving him an extension before seeing how his foot responds would be an extremely risky proposition, and patience is the best path forward.

This allows the Mavs to see how he plays upon returning, and they wouldn't have to make a decision about his future until after the season. D-Live would hit restricted free agency after the 2026-27 season, giving Dallas the chance to match any offer that comes his way.

Why waiting makes sense for the Mavericks

It would be an absolute nightmare if the Mavericks handed Lively a contract extension and he suffered another serious injury. Rather than rushing things and counting on a full recovery and bounce-back season, they can give him as much time as he needs to recover, monitor how his right foot is holding up, and see how the rest of the Mavs' frontcourt is playing before making a long-term decision.

This also gives Dusty May the chance to see if Lively fits his scheme and how he wants to play, and this is extremely important. Dallas is looking to build a complementary roster around Cooper Flagg, and while Lively fits well with him on paper, we've only seen the former Duke Blue Devils play six games together as Mavericks teammates.

Dallas is taking the right approach with Lively, as their plan for his future with the team mirrors their plan for his return from injury. They're not rushing anything, and the Mavericks look to be allowing things to play out rather than locking him up for the future before proving that he has made a full recovery from foot surgery.

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