MAVS NEWS:

[Scott41theMavs]

There was no such announcement, and Franko's analysis of the issue is spot on.

Where the idea came from? It was this tweet by Sidery that was taken as reporting, but imo was only speculative assumption. There was no report, no link, just this, which retells in a summary what a podcast said about Lively.

https://x.com/esidery/status/1808119839203999981

Evan Sidery Jul 2
The Mavericks believe Dereck Lively has the potential to become an elite defensive anchor similar to Kevin Garnett or Joakim Noah, per @espn_macmahon (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brian-windhorst-the-hoop-collective/id293376147?i=1000660892043). 

Dallas is expected to start Lively full-time next season with Daniel Gafford moving to a bench role.

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That tweet was posted here, and everyone took it as gospel and something the Mavs had already decided and announced, rather than speculative guessing. Interestingly, no one else in media (especially Stein) has mentioned the idea, ever.

Going back to the podcast, it was just speculation by Tim McMahon, not reporting. "Tim M expects Dallas to start Lively next season" would have been more accurate reporting, and he didn't say exactly when he thought Lively might be promoted. He was talking about the defense overall, and the loss of DJJ and how the Mavs would adjust (starts at about the 14:30 mark in the link above) and then he drifted onto other players and their impact on the issue. His exact words were: "I do think Lively ends up starting, and they're gonna--- I've been told they think Lively has like Joakim Noah, Kevin Garnett type of defensive potential, in terms of not just being your traditional anchor, but being an 'all over the floor' type of presence. They're putting a lot on him to prop up a defense that..." and then he trailed off and starting talking about other players.

That was "the announcement" -- with a reality that nothing has changed since the season end, and everyone is just guessing what they think is ahead.
 
My impression was that, because it fit expectations, it was taken here by most as something official and as set. AFAIK that is where it all began.

I've lightly pushed back from time to time here on the belief that Lively has been anointed to start, including in our discussion about Maxi's role, but didn't push the flimsiness of the idea. And it's a fool's errand to try to prove a negative, especially when we can just wait n see. 

As for the possibility, I really think the better idea would be to continue having Lively as the backup, because of his slight frame. He had multiple injuries last season. Let his minutes grow, but let him get to work against backups and starters after they are tired. And try to keep him from being pushed into injuries.

Seems like getting him to strengthen that frame would be goal.