Mavericks' nightmare injury scenario is already taking shape after disastrous season

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II only played in seven games during the 2025-26 season after undergoing season-ending foot surgery, and his path back to the hardwood may not be as smooth as expected.

Dereck Lively II still has a while to go before playing again

Lively II hasn't played in an NBA game since November 21 of last year, and his absence may last much longer than Mavericks fans hoped. Jason Kidd was asked about Lively II's recovery during his exit interview at the beginning of this week, and rather than delivering something positive, he dropped a brutally honest response.

"I don't know when or what to expect D-Live right now," Kidd said when asked if Lively II would be back by training camp. "He's off the crutches. Hopefully soon we'll be in two shoes. I know that sounds kinda funny, but he's still in a boot...And then I think having that process of getting on the court, and hopefully he's ready for training camp, but medically I can't give you the answer today because I don't know."

This is not the news that Mavericks fans wanted to hear. Dallas needs certainty around Cooper Flagg after winning just 26 games last season, and Lively II being out indefinitely is the complete opposite of that.

They expected Lively II to develop into one of Flagg's running mates, but he may not even be ready by training camp. It typically starts at the end of September, and if Lively II isn't ready to play by then, Dallas will be in a horrible position.

He is obviously one of the most impactful players on the team due to his size, length, rim protection, and effectiveness as a lob threat, but he has been held back by injuries. Lively II has only played in 98 regular-season games through the first three seasons of his career due to several injuries, and his games played have gone down every year.

Lively II can't be a franchise cornerstone if he can't stay on the court, and next season will be pivotal for him. He is set to become a restricted free agent after next season if Dallas doesn't extend him this summer, and this season will be his final chance to prove that he can stay healthy for an entire season.

Dallas needs Lively II healthy

The Mavs need reliability down low as they look to build a contender around Flagg, and Lively II being ready for the start of next season will be a good start to this. Dallas still has Daniel Gafford as well, but Lively II projects to be the better long-term center. He's over four years younger, is three inches taller, and has the defensive versatility needed to be a starting-caliber big man. Gafford is serviceable off the bench, but he's not the type of center that they need to make another NBA Finals run.

Lively II and Gafford form an elite center rotation when they're both on the floor, but as Kidd said, Lively II returning before training camp isn't guaranteed. Kidd always refrains from giving exact medical details, but the fact that there wasn't much of a positive update on his 22-year-old big man is concerning.

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