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Grant Afseth: Riley Crean spent a lot of time learning from Sean Sweeney when they were both with the Dallas Mavericks. Sweeney often worked with the bigs, especially Dereck Lively II. After Sweeney joined the San Antonio Spurs, Crean often worked with the bigs.
Brian Windhorst: There'd be quite a few teams that would be interested in Kel'el Ware if he got shipped to Milwaukee and they were willing to flip him. Tim MacMahon: He's a rim-running floor stretching big. Windhorst: If I were the Lakers and Kel'el Ware got shipped to Milwaukee, I would be on the phone because Kel'el Ware package of talent is not that different from Dereck Lively.
Dereck Lively: "My mom is the first person, first coach. She used to coach me to kick me out of a gym. She kicked me out of practice because I called her mom, and then I had to sit the entire rest of practice outside, couldn't get in the car, I was locked out of the gym, and I just had to sit on the curb. She was a loving person, but when it came to basketball, she knew everything around the game. She taught me many things, no matter if it's, as soon as you start a commitment, you got to finish it. No matter if you don't like it, no matter if it's going bad, you got to finish it throughout the whole thing."
There is a desire for better center play, true lob threats who mimic the skills of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II (with cleaner injury histories). There is a desire for true two-way defensive players, wings with athleticism and energy on the defensive end and a sweet shooting stroke on the offensive side of the ball. And there’s a desire to lock in a long-term secondary playmaker next to Dončić. Reaves, who will decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent after the season, is the most logical fit for that role.
Those priorities remain, according to league sources. There is a desire for better center play, true lob threats who mimic the skills of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II (with cleaner injury histories). There is a desire for true two-way defensive players, wings with athleticism and energy on the defensive end and a sweet shooting stroke on the offensive side of the ball. And there’s a desire to lock in a long-term secondary playmaker next to Dončić.
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Kellan Olson: Cooper Flagg is probable for the Mavs with a left wrist sprain. Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery) and Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery) remain out.
The person Dumont hires as his lead basketball executive will have to make the final call on what to do with both of Dallas’ first-round picks; decide if the Mavericks should use one of their many frontcourt players to try to get more guard help; and weigh whether to extend Dereck Lively II, the team’s talented 22-year-old center who, because of injuries, has played in just 43 games over the past two seasons. “Whoever they hire has to be able to get Cooper to buy into their vision,” one NBA front-office staffer who was granted anonymity so they could speak freely told The Athletic. “That’s the most important thing.”
Law Murray: The Dallas Mavericks report that Brandon Williams (concussion) is out. Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II are out for the season. Caleb Martin (heel) is questionable
Mike Curtis: Dereck Lively II spoke before today’s Mavs Ball in his first public comments since season-ending surgery on his right foot. He’s currently in a boot. “Valuing the little things. Going from not being able to walk to 1 crutch to 2 crutches. I’m just waiting, taking my time & making sure that when I come back, I’m 110%.”
Grant Afseth: The Dallas Mavericks list Klay Thompson (rest) as doubtful against the Memphis Grizzlies. The three two-way contract players are doubtful. Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II remain out for the season.
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Grant Afseth: Jason Kidd said Daniel Gafford is available to play against the San Antonio Spurs. Brandon Williams, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, and Kyrie Irving are all out. The Dallas Mavericks' trades haven't been made official yet. No players from those deals are available.
Mavs PR: The Dallas Mavericks announced today that center Dereck Lively II underwent successful surgery on his right foot. The surgery was performed by Dr. James Calder at the Fortius Clinic in London.