The Dallas Mavericks received a much-needed boost this offseason. Center Dereck Lively II, who underwent foot surgery to address bone spurs, is likely to recover fully from training camp. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania , the procedure was minor, and the team remains confident in Lively’s progress.
Coming off a breakout rookie season, Lively played a critical role in anchoring Dallas’ defense. His rim protection, rebounding energy, and chemistry with stars like Luka Doncic made him indispensable during their 2024 NBA Finals run. The Mavericks acted quickly this offseason to ensure Lively’s foot health didn’t become a long-term issue, opting for a proactive cleanup procedure. Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban even called Anthony Davis, Lively, and Daniel Gafford’s trio “the best