Under-the-radar Mavericks injury update is the last thing they needed

Despite riding their first two-game winning streak of the season, the injury bug has plagued the Dallas Mavericks this season once again, and it's arguably been the most brutal toward Dereck Lively II. The 21-year-old big man already missed nine games earlier this season due to a sprained right knee, but has missed Dallas' last five games due to swelling and discomfort in his right foot. Lively II recently had a boot on his right foot when spotted at a Mavericks community event.

The Mavericks said a further update would be provided on Lively II's status in 7-10 days on November 25, so there should hopefully be some sort of official timetable for his return to play in the coming days. Lively II has undoubtedly suffered terrible injury luck to begin his career, and he can't seem to catch a break. Barring his rookie season, Lively II has struggled to put together a significant stretch of games through this season and last, which is severely disappointing considering how young and potential-filled he is.

When it was announced that Lively II was experiencing swelling and discomfort in his right foot, the same foot he had bone spurs surgically removed from this offseason, the alarm bells were already starting to ring. Seeing him in a walking boot at a Mavericks holiday event only serves as confirmation of these fears.

Dereck Lively II may be heading toward another extended absence

Whether Lively II simply re-aggravated his right foot or ankle, or if this is something more serious, is currently unknown. However, being in a walking boot definitely bodes toward this being something more serious, even though it's never fair to speculate on injuries until doctors or team officials release something of substance in regard to the severity of this injury.

Who knows what Lively II's timetable to return will be, but if he's going to be out until after the new year, the Mavericks could face some serious questions in terms of what it best for him going forward. The track record for 7-footers suffering a plethora of injuries early in their careers hasn't been promising throughout NBA history (i.e., Greg Oden), and Dallas needs to be careful.

This isn't to say Lively II's career is over or anything of that sort, but perhaps an extended rehab period could be crucial to preserving his longevity in the league. He has far too much upside to rush back from injury once again, as Dallas' training staff narrowly avoided a catastrophe when it came to misdiagnosing his stress fracture last season, and they can't make that mistake again.

Lively II has the potential to be an All-NBA Defensive center for years to come, and he could become a perennial All-Star if he continues to develop his offensive game and 3-point shot. However, injuries have been a massive crutch upon his career up to this point, which could raise concern over his long-term fit with Cooper Flagg and whether he's Dallas' center of the future. It'd be fairly shocking if Dallas traded Lively II this early in his career, but not impossible given his injury woes up to this point.