Overview
- Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz praised Lively’s work ethic and said the 22‑year‑old is in the team facility daily and committed to his rehab.
- Reporting says Lively has undergone several surgeries on his right foot over the last year and still has more recovery work to do.
- By June he had advanced to weight‑lifting and walking in rehab but had not been cleared to resume full running or return to game play.
- Dallas has held early, preliminary talks about a potential contract extension for Lively, and the team is weighing protections or contract structure because of his medical history.
- The Mavericks’ depth at center — including Daniel Gafford, Santi Aldama, Morez Johnson Jr., and Moussa Cisse — gives Lively time to recover but also complicates the timing and size of any new deal and is the key factor to watch going into the season