The Dallas Mavericks are hoping for a bounce-back year for Derek Lively II

The Dallas Mavericks are preparing for the 2026-2027 NBA regular season with center Dereck Lively II aiming for a bounce-back campaign. Lively missed the final 75 games of last season due to a foot injury after serving as a key defensive contributor during the team's Finals run two years prior. He has participated in offseason workouts and spent time rehabbing to prepare for his return to the court.

Lively enters the final season of his rookie contract and will become a restricted free agent at the end of the year if an extension is not agreed upon. Dallas must weigh whether to sign him to a new contract early or evaluate his health and on-court performance alongside the team's young core throughout the upcoming season.