Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II will undergo a season-ending right foot procedure to address lingering discomfort, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon on Wednesday.
Dereck Lively II To Remain Sidelined
Lively, 21, has only appeared in seven games (four starts) with the Mavericks this season due to his right foot injury. He was spotted in a walking boot during last Wednesday’s shootaround, per Christian Clark of The Athletic.
The 12th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Lively last played on Nov. 21 against the New Orleans Pelicans. He has been sidelined with swelling and discomfort in the same foot that was surgically repaired over the summer.
Lively reportedly underwent the procedure back in July to clean up bone spurs.
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II will undergo season-ending right foot procedure to address lingering discomfort, sources tell me and Tim MacMahon. Lively, who played 7 games this season, is expected to make a full recovery. pic.twitter.com/OWWnqnS1lD
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 10, 2025
NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported last month that Dallas was concerned Lively could miss an extended period of time, with an estimated recovery window of at least seven to 10 days.
Lively appeared in the first three games of the season before missing the next nine due to a right knee sprain. The 7-foot-1 big man then suited up for four of Dallas’ next six contests before the foot became a problem again.
Mavericks Limited Lively Last Season
Per Spotrac, Lively is currently in the third season of his four-year, $22.28 million rookie-scale contract. His deal includes club options for 2025-26 and 2026-27. Dallas exercised his 2025-26 option last October.
Lively finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting after averaging 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 23.5 minutes per contest in 55 games (42 starts) of the 2023-24 season.
In 36 games (29 starts) last season, Lively averaged 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 23.1 minutes while shooting 70.2% from the field and 63% from the foul line.
Despite missing 36 straight games, he recorded eight double-doubles and scored a season-high 21 points in Dallas’ 117-111 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 9.
During the offseason, the Mavericks exercised their fourth-year option on Lively’s rookie-scale contract, locking in Lively’s $7.23 million salary for the 2026-27 season.
Lively will be eligible for a rookie-scale extension next summer.
