When Will Dereck Lively II Return? Latest Update on Mavs Star's Foot Injury

The Dallas Mavericks announced Wednesday that center Dereck Lively II will have season-ending foot surgery.

The team is expecting to have him back to 100 percent ahead of training camp next year.

"Dereck has handled every challenge of this season with professionalism and resilience," interim general manager Matt Riccardi said. "While this is a setback, we're confident in his long-term future and will support him fully through is recovery."

Lively missed nine games from late October through mid-November because of a knee sprain. He was back for a 133-127 overtime defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 14 and made three more appearances before experiencing swelling and discomfort in his right foot.

Lively II with the Rejection

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The concern for the 7'1" big is heightened because this is the same foot that gave him trouble and kept him out for a large chunk of 2024-25. This past April, then-GM Nico Harrison indicated Lively wouldn't need surgery in the offseason, but that's exactly what happened in July.

At 9-16, the Mavs are 11th in the Western Conference and only a half-game behind the Portland Trail Blazers for the final play-in spot. Dallas isn't hitting the lower end of its projections with Kyrie Irving still recovering from a torn ACL, but it's not looking like a strong contender, either.

Removing Lively from the frontcourt makes Dallas worse in the short term, and this may increase the odds of an Anthony Davis trade.

Not having Lively inside puts more pressure on Davis as the defensive anchor and forces him to play more at center, something he hasn't enjoyed in the past.

Should the Mavs remain on the bubble closer to the Feb. 5 trade deadline, parting ways with the 10-time All-Star should merit serious consideration.