MAVS NEWS:

[Smitty]

@TheSteinLine
Told today that Dallas has held some early stage talks with Dereck Lively II on a possible contract extension.

Lively, 22, is eligible for a new deal until Opening Night Eve but played in just seven games in 2025-26 before foot surgery.

[windjc]

@TheSteinLine
Told today that Dallas has held some early stage talks with Dereck Lively II on a possible contract extension.

Lively, 22, is eligible for a new deal until Opening Night Eve but played in just seven games in 2025-26 before foot surgery.

Yeah-boy!

NB4meltdown about how he’ll never play again. 

I told you he is going to recover. No other reason Mavs would be talking already.

[loki]

@TheSteinLine
Told today that Dallas has held some early stage talks with Dereck Lively II on a possible contract extension.

Lively, 22, is eligible for a new deal until Opening Night Eve but played in just seven games in 2025-26 before foot surgery.

Funny enough I think this is the perfect time to extend Lively. I'd give one guaranteed year with a games played clause in future seasons. If he flames out you can pull the plug. If he stays healthy you're getting a relative bargain.

[Scott41theMavs]

AAV better be damned low regardless.

[BigDirk41]

I hope they don't give him a big pay day. Way too risky imo.

[DallasMaverick]

@TheSteinLine
Told today that Dallas has held some early stage talks with Dereck Lively II on a possible contract extension.

Lively, 22, is eligible for a new deal until Opening Night Eve but played in just seven games in 2025-26 before foot surgery.

It's a gamble for each side.  If Dallas really believes his injury was a one-off, now's the time to push for a bargain.  Think Brunson before his breakout season.

On Lively's side, what if his injuries are chronic, and this is his last chance to get some money?  Wouldn't you give Dallas a discount for the security of a guaranteed payday?

[Smitty]

It's a gamble for each side.  If Dallas really believes his injury was a one-off, now's the time to push for a bargain.  Think Brunson before his breakout season.

On Lively's side, what if his injuries are chronic, and this is his last chance to get some money?  Wouldn't you give Dallas a discount for the security of a guaranteed payday?

I think we need to determine what a discount is first. I think $10M AAV is about right for Lively. If he plays more than 50 games this season and looks great, maybe he gets closer to $20M AAV in restricted free agency next summer? Then the Mavs just match... So, what's the number... That's the question...

[Chicagojk]

They wouldn't be doing their job if they didn't at least talk extension.  All these players are looking for their next contracts.   It is good to let them know you "care" imo.   

Maybe their is common ground between getting an extension less for his talent and giving Lively some security if he is never healthy.    I assume a clean bill of health would have to happen first by the new medical staff.    

Lively needs to prove he can be healthy and excel without Luka.    If he is healthy and what I think he can be, this rebuild is a step further than without him.

[cow]

I think we need to determine what a discount is first. I think $10M AAV is about right for Lively. If he plays more than 50 games this season and looks great, maybe he gets closer to $20M AAV in restricted free agency next summer? Then the Mavs just match... So, what's the number... That's the question...

I think if he's around $20M AAV, I'd let him walk while being fully ready to regret not matching.  I hope Lively has a similar arc to Tyson Chandler, but I'm not willing to gamble on it.

[Moviemavguy]

I actually think you do extend Lively for sure if it's a low price.

[DallasMaverick]

I think we need to determine what a discount is first. I think $10M AAV is about right for Lively. If he plays more than 50 games this season and looks great, maybe he gets closer to $20M AAV in restricted free agency next summer? Then the Mavs just match... So, what's the number... That's the question...

From a skill perspective, we've often said that he's superior to Gafford.  Can move his feet, guard on the perimeter, etc.

Is he superior to Kessler? So hard to tell because of his limited body of work.

It's quite possible his value might be north of $20m, if consistently healthy.

If I were the Mavs, and confident about his health, I'd consider a $10m AAV deal a big win, especially on a 3- or 4-year deal.  Almost like getting a significant rookie on their initial contract.

If they gamble and lose, he's tying up 7% of their cap for the next few years.

[mvossman]

I think if he's around $20M AAV, I'd let him walk while being fully ready to regret not matching.  I hope Lively has a similar arc to Tyson Chandler, but I'm not willing to gamble on it.

The question is are you willing to gamble 10M AAV now?  If they have competent medical folks who sign off, I would do it.

[KillerLeft]

I'm in rehearsals all day for the next month, so I won't be around as much. Just checking in to ask: Is Mathurin a Maverick yet?

[Chicagojk]

It just seems like we are going down a path where one of PJ/Gafford is gone with Klay.    The question is which one is more valuable in trades?  Which one can rehab their value more?   PJ is probably the answer, but I think at least one will be moved this summer.

[KillerLeft]

Is he superior to Kessler? So hard to tell because of his limited body of work.

I think so, yes. It's kind of opinion-based though, because of BOTH players' limited bodies of work. But, I don't think Kessler has ever had a stretch as impactful as Lively's '24 playoff run. He played like a 28 year old DPOY winner.

[Scott41theMavs]

Someone in the Discord pointed out DL2 is a Klutch client. Nothing to see here as far as an extension actually happening.

[OldMavsFan]

He will be a free agent next summer if they don't extend him before the start of the season.  Mavs have to gamble either way, from what I have read they still believe he will be one of the cornerstones of the team in due time, so I expect at least a 3 year deal with the last year being a player or team option.  I would guess a team option means they are paying more for the first two years and a player option if they are low balling him.  

Now are there any other players that they need to extended or will they let them become RFA and see how it goes?

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I'm in rehearsals all day for the next month, so I won't be around as much. Just checking in to ask: Is Mathurin a Maverick yet?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cw9F_0Op6uE

[FireNicoHarrison]

I actually think you do extend Lively for sure if it's a low price.

This.

It's a clearly a low buy move for the Mavs...

[Smitty]

I think we need to determine what a discount is first. I think $10M AAV is about right for Lively. If he plays more than 50 games this season and looks great, maybe he gets closer to $20M AAV in restricted free agency next summer? Then the Mavs just match... So, what's the number... That's the question...

LockedOn mentioned Mark Williams as a recent comp for Lively and his situation.

Williams was the 15th pick in the 2022 draft. 
He played 43 games -- 19 games -- 44 games his first 3 years. A total of 106. 
He averaged 23.7 mpg, 12.3 ppg, 8.8 rbs, 1.1 blk, 0.7 stl, 1.4 ast.
He did not get extended. 
Played 60 games in year 4 and it led to a contract of 3 years - $38M ($12.6M AAV), which he just signed, as a restricted FA, on July 7th.

Lively was the 12th pick in the 2023 draft. 
He played 55 games -- 36 games -- 7 games his first 3 years. A total of 98. 
He averaged 22.9 mpg, 8.4 ppg, 7.0 rbs, 1.5 blk, 0.6 stl, 1.6 ast.


Williams was able to play a career high in games, last year - year 4 (60), which led to a 3-year $38M deal. I think Lively is the better defensive player. Not quite as good offensively. Both were near-lottery picks in back-to-back years, and both have battled injuries/missed games. I think it was a good comp from the LockedOn guys.