NBA Trade Rumors: Mavericks' Dereck Lively II 'Not For Sale' at 2024 Deadline

Unsurprisingly, Dallas Mavericks rookie center Dereck Lively II will not be made available for trade before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

"Mavericks center Dereck Lively has drawn trade interest from rival teams, but Dallas has told those who've called he's not for sale," sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

The remarks were made amid a longer discussion about the Mavs' interest in "gauging the trade market to see if there's a notable forward upgrade" the team can make, per Scotto.

Dallas has reportedly "kept tabs on Jerami Grant in Portland." Scotto also noted that "Kyle Kuzma could be added to this list in the coming weeks."

Ultimately, Lively isn't going anywhere regardless of what the Mavs do at the deadline. The 19-year-old rookie center out of Duke has excelled for Dallas, posting 8.9 points on 73.5 percent shooting, 7.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.

He's played an integral role in positioning the Mavs in playoff position (24-18, sixth in the West) after a 38-44 campaign that ended with the team falling outside the top 10.

As far as who could leave in a trade, Scotto gave some insight: "Rival executives point to some combination of Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, Grant Williams, and draft compensation as Dallas' best chance of making a trade for a frontcourt upgrade."

For now, the Mavs move forward with a solid roster easily capable of making the playoffs. They are a team to watch, though, as the trade deadline approaches.