Derek Lively II did not receive medical clearance to participate in Mavericks training camp as he continues to recover from a surgical intervention on the right leg, sources said ESPN’s Tim McMahon. He adds that Lively’s status for the start of the regular season is “yet to be determined.”
Still, McMahon’s sources say the 22-year-old center is “building up” his ability to get cleared and the team isn’t fazed by the speed of his recovery.
Lively exposed season-ending surgery in December to eliminate constant discomfort in the feet. He had operation on the same leg in July 2025 to eliminate bone spurs.
He was limited to seven games last season and has played a total of 43 over the past two years. In one solid season, Lively played in 55 games as a rookie and was a vital part of Dallas’ run to the 2024 NBA Finals.
Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz said last month that Lively is “work your tail off” in an attempt to recover and complimented his “psyche” and “voice” throughout the rehabilitation process.
Injuries will complicate rookie extension negotiations for Lively, who is eligible for a new deal until Oct. 19. If a deal can’t be reached by then, he will become a restricted free agent next summer.
The Mavericks will hold a media day on Friday and begin training camp the following day. Their first preseason game will be Oct. 9 in Macau.
