6 Most underpaid Dallas Mavericks players for 2024-25 season

3. Dereck Lively II

The Dallas Mavericks hit the jackpot in the 2023 NBA Draft when they selected Dereck Lively II out of Duke with the No. 12 overall pick. No one was sure exactly how good Lively II would be for the Mavs in his rookie year, and he exceeded everyone's expectations quickly.

As a rookie, Lively II averaged 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 74.7 percent from the field. Lively II became a key piece to the Mavs quickly, and he is only set to make just over $5 million next season.

That is nothing considering that Lively II is one of the most valuable players on the team and is poised to become the team's starting center over Daniel Gafford next season, and this shows the importance of acing your draft picks.

Dallas now has Lively II locked up for three more years, and even after that, he'll be a restricted free agent.

The Mavs are in a great spot with Lively II, and he is just scratching the tip of the iceberg. Lively II has so much untapped potential that Mavs fans are ecstatic about, and he could turn into one of the best centers in the league by the time his rookie deal is up.

Lively II runs the floor, catches and finishes lobs, anchors the defense, and hustles, and he is working hard to add more to his game. He is motivated to add a 3-point jumper over the next few years, and that skill would make him even more dangerous.

Lively II is the full package, and him being on this rookie deal while being a key player shows exactly why he is one of the most underpaid players on the team.