The Dallas Mavericks missed the deadline to extend Dereck Lively II, a move that might look risky to some fans but is actually the smart play. According to The Smoking Cuban, the team made the right gamble by letting Lively become a restricted free agent next summer instead of locking him up now. His body has simply not been ready for the heavy load required of a franchise center.
The medical staff initially misdiagnosed his stress fracture, which led to surgery on his right foot early last season. He is still not healthy enough to start this season, per The Smoking Cuban. Waiting allows Dallas to see if he can stay on the court before committing big money. If he cannot stay healthy, the team avoids a massive contract for a player who cannot play. That is a smart way to handle a player with All-Defensive potential who keeps getting hurt.
The Restricted Free Agency Safety Net
There is a major reason why Dallas is comfortable waiting until next summer to make a deal. Restricted free agents are seldom secured by franchises under the new CBA anymore. Per The Smoking Cuban, teams are prioritizing the draft and trades over clearing cap space to land big fish. This means if Lively has a great year and another team offers him a huge contract, the Mavericks can simply match that offer. They keep their player without having to guess his value a year early.
The only real risk is if a bottom-feeder team like the Sacramento Kings uses their cap space to lure Lively away with a massive offer sheet. Should health hold and he show as Dallas’ top center, the team will readily hand over the bag. The team knows he is the best option they have when he is fully dialed in. They are just refusing to pay for health he has not earned yet.
Patience Pays Off for a Rising Star
Beyond injury issues, Lively likely holds greater potential than any other Dallas youth except Cooper Flagg. During his rookie campaign, he was perhaps the premier defensive center in the playoffs. Guarding in space at 7-foot-1 grants him a chance to earn All-Defensive Team honors. A capable finisher and rebounder, he also executes rapid choices within the short roll. These skills are rare and valuable, but they are useless if he is sitting on the bench.
This move is not a sign that Dallas does not want him or is moving on. This approach offers the squad confidence if lower-body injuries keep troubling him. The risk lies in him becoming far costlier if he remains active and posts a productive season. Once healthy, should he appear as a rising star, the Mavericks may regret failing to lock him up early. But for now, waiting is the only logical path for a player with his history. The team gets to see the real Dereck Lively before they write the check.
