While extension rumors are heating up around the league for other players in the 2023 draft class, the Dallas Mavericks seem to be taking the right approach by not rushing into an extension for Dereck Lively II.
The Dallas Mavericks appear poised to pass on signing center Dereck Lively II to a rookie-scale extension before the October 19 deadline, according to The Smoking Cuban. While peers from the 2023 draft class are actively negotiating or signing extensions, writer Noah Weber argues that exercising patience represents the smartest move for the franchise given Lively's recent health concerns.
Lively has played only 43 games over the past two seasons and remains sidelined following December foot surgery. Weber notes that delaying a deal protects Dallas from injury risk, allows head coach Dusty May to evaluate Lively alongside Cooper Flagg, and still preserves restricted free agency rights after the 2026-27 season.
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