The Dallas Mavericks are beginning a new chapter with Dusty May as the head coach, and they are trying to lock up a young player for the foreseeable future.
The Mavericks reportedly engaged in contract extension discussions with 22-year-old Dereck Lively II, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Lively is eligible for a new extension before the 2026-27 season begins, so the clock appears to be ticking for the sides to get things done.
Lively was selected by Dallas 12th overall in 2023, and he played 55 games as a rookie. In 2024-25, he played in 36 games with 29 starts, but he made just seven appearances last season.
The Mavericks’ young center underwent season-ending surgery in December, and reports in June stated that Lively’s recovery wasn’t going as expected.
Still, Dallas views Lively as a key piece of its future with Cooper Flagg, and finding a way to get a new deal done could help things going forward.
The Mavericks also acquired Zaccharie Risacher, a former No. 1 pick, in the deal that sent Lu Dort from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Atlanta Hawks.
As for Lively, he is in the final year of his rookie deal and he would become a free agent after the 2026-27 season, but the Mavericks hope to keep him in Dallas for a long time.
