Dereck Lively II Nears Mavericks Extension Deadline While Sidelined

The Dallas Mavericks face an Oct. 19 deadline to agree to a rookie-scale contract extension with center Dereck Lively II. Lively remains sidelined without medical clearance after missing all four preseason games following foot surgery in December 2025. If no agreement is reached before the deadline, he will play out the 2026-27 season on a $7,239,131 salary and can become a restricted free agent next summer.

Mavericks president Masai Ujiri and coach Dusty May noted that Lively has progressed to shooting and is working toward running. Over three injury-shortened seasons in Dallas, Lively has played in 98 regular-season games, averaging 8.4 points and 7.0 rebounds. Guard Marcus Sasser also faces the rookie extension deadline.