The Dallas Mavericks enter the 2025-26 season aiming to bounce back after missing the postseason in 2024-25, and they’ll do so with some literal and figurative growth.
The Mavericks open the season with a retooled roster compared to last season’s Opening Night squad. With Kyrie Irving not expected to return until at least January as recovers from a torn ACL, Dallas will lean on Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, Dereck Lively and a deep supporting cast.
Lively, in particular, is looking to reset after an injury-plagued 2024-25 campaign in which he appeared in just 36 regular-season games due largely to a stress fracture in his right ankle. He also underwent surgery in mid-July to clean up bone spurs in his right foot, though he was cleared to participate in training camp, according to Joey Mistretta of ClutchPoints.
MORE: Mavericks get promising Anthony Davis injury update ahead of training camp
Dereck Lively II hits major growth spurt
The Duke product projects as the club’s starting center ahead of Daniel Gafford entering the 2025-26 season, though Dallas may monitor his playing time early considering his injury history. The team is likely going to ease him back during the preseason, and the Mavericks will also be eager to see his growth. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the big man has added even more size to his 7-foot frame and believes he’s now “7-2 or 7-3.”
“Mavericks center Dereck Lively II says he has grown over this summer and believes he is now ‘7-2 or 7-3,’” Stein wrote.
The Mavericks are set to roll out a towering frontcourt with Davis alongside Lively, who is entering his third season in the league. The 21-year-old averaged 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 blocks per game last season, shooting 70.2 percent from the field. Now, he’ll look to take a step forward following his injury troubles in the 2024-25 season.
With better health — and maybe a couple extra inches — Lively has the chance to become a major factor as Dallas looks to return to title contention.
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