Dereck Lively II

Derek Lively II (foot) will undergo season-ending surgery on his right foot.

Fantasy Impact

Lively played in only seven games this season, and was without a timetable to return with discomfort lingering in his foot. He is expected to make a full recovery. In the meantime, Dallas will continue to patch things together at center.

Dereck Lively II (foot) is currently without a timetable for his return.

Fantasy Impact

The big man is struggling to recover from his foot injury and is seeking multiple medical opinions for it. He is still without a timetable for his recovery, which means that Dwight Powell and Naji Marshall will continue to benefit from his extended absence for the foreseeable future.

Swelling and discomfort in his right foot will force Dereck Lively II to the sidelines for at least the next three games. The Mavericks announced Tuesday that they will re-evaluate the center in seven-to-ten days, a timeline that aligns with earlier reports from insider Marc Stein regarding fears of an extended absence.

Fantasy Impact

This setback is particularly concerning as the symptoms have flared up in the same foot that required surgery during the offseason. While a return on December 3 represents the best-case scenario, fantasy managers should brace for the possibility of a longer recovery period. With Lively unavailable, Daniel Gafford is positioned to see a significant boost in usage and fantasy appeal.

Reports from NBA insider Marc Stein indicate there is fear within the Mavericks organization that Dereck Lively could be sidelined for an extended period due to a foot injury. While his absence from Monday's game against Miami was officially listed as injury management, this new development suggests the issue may be more serious.

Fantasy Impact

The center has struggled to stay on the floor this season, logging only seven appearances following offseason foot surgery. Fantasy managers are advised to hold tight until the team releases a clearer timeline regarding his status.

Dereck Lively II (knee) won't play in Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Fantasy Impact

The big man is not going to be available to play on Saturday. The team is letting him sit out as part of the injury maintenance for his knee, but he should be back in the lineup in the near future. Look for Dwight Powell and Naji Marshall to see more work until then.