(12-10-2025, 12:56 PM)Smitty Wrote: @ShamsCharania
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.



As for extension talks this summer. I think the most I'm offering is 4/$30M with a TO. Any higher and it needs to be structured like the Zion contract, or the FO needs to let it play out and see if he can stay healthy before reaching RFA the following summer.

(12-10-2025, 05:40 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: I’m still buying real estate in Lively island, for those selling. He’s still the 2nd most important Maverick to me. Have your people reach out to my buyers!

(12-10-2025, 06:08 PM)Smitty Wrote: That rookie year playoff run was impressive! Big men with foot injuries is concerning. 98 games played out of 246 in his career is concerning. He’s such a likeable human being and the defensive impact and potential is there… I think we’re reaching Greg Oden territory though.

As a stake holder and buyer of all Lively stock, if you were the GM, what would you be willing to offer him in an extension this summer?

(12-10-2025, 08:56 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: The thing is, it's way more than that run of surprising good play during his rookie year. There were a couple of short down periods that year and last, as he came off of injuries and played himself back into rhythm, but basically he's been GREAT most of the time he's played, including the few games he played this season, when he made an impact one could call team altering with a soberly straight face. Frankly, there aren't many players in the sport who can make the type of impact he does.

I’d make a run at getting him on the cheapest possible extension, but as someone mentioned in another thread I doubt he’d take it. He’s shown too much promise already not to bet on himself. I’d be content to play the situation out and make the call down the road. But, I’m nowhere near trying to replace him or anything like that. I’ll hope this move has him ready to go to start next season, and that the timing of that syncs up with a team ready to benefit.

(12-10-2025, 06:08 PM)Smitty Wrote: That rookie year playoff run was impressive! Big men with foot injuries is concerning. 98 games played out of 246 in his career is concerning. He’s such a likeable human being and the defensive impact and potential is there… I think we’re reaching Greg Oden territory though.

As a stake holder and buyer of all Lively stock, if you were the GM, what would you be willing to offer him in an extension this summer?

(12-11-2025, 04:36 AM)meistermatze Wrote: That assumes, some team is desperate enough to offer him (kind of) big money, which I think is possible, but doubtful.

(12-11-2025, 12:03 PM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: Foot and leg injuries are the bane for bigs 7 ft and taller. That's what derailed Yao Ming, Greg Oden, Rik Smits, and Bill Walton's careers. I hope Lively can overcome them, but the proof is there.

(12-11-2025, 08:57 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: Huh? I don't see how I've assumed that. I haven't even suggested it, actually.

(12-12-2025, 04:22 AM)meistermatze Wrote: Well, I guess I misunderstood what you meant by suggesting he’d “bet on himself.” You meant that he would reject any low immediate offers (from us or others) and play himself into shape in order to earn a bigger contract.

I continued that line of thought and assumed that, at the end of that scenario, he would have played himself into shape, increased his value, and then receive big money from someone. That’s the part I doubt, because I don’t see him staying healthy.

That’s why I actually think he will take a smaller deal from us for security reasons. I think that would be the smart play. If he defies the odds, he can always cash in on the next contract — he’s young enough. If he goes the route you suggested, I’d fear a Nerlens Noel–type career for him.

(12-11-2025, 03:53 PM)Smitty Wrote: @MavsFilmRoom

Tim MacMahon stated that the previous Mavs medical staff (led by Casey Smith) raised some concerns about Dereck Lively during the 2023 draft process, but they were ignored by the former Mavs general manager.

Obviously Lively had a productive rookie season

(12-12-2025, 04:22 AM)meistermatze Wrote: Well, I guess I misunderstood what you meant by suggesting he’d “bet on himself.” You meant that he would reject any low immediate offers (from us or others) and play himself into shape in order to earn a bigger contract.

(12-12-2025, 02:49 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: No, he's under contract. The recent conversation has been about whether or not each of us would extend him. He's eligible this summer, I believe, but there is more time left on his rookie deal. I'm saying yes, I'd offer a lowball extension (very low) on the off chance I could get a steal out of his misfortune, but my guess is that he'd bet on himself and not take it. Both parties will simply play the last year of his deal out and kick this can of a negotiation down the road, I'll bet. 

At that point, the scenario you're referring to comes into play.

(12-15-2025, 07:55 AM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: A steal like this would put us in danger when the cheap second contract is nearing its end.  Assuming the 40% rule on extensions still exists, we'd be in the same situation Chicago is in with White.  I'd rather punt a year on the extension and get a better idea where he is.  He'll still be restricted.

(12-17-2025, 04:33 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: This is a fair point. 

On another topic, how much longer are you going to go with "#1 Green Defender" as your title?