...
By Alex Kirschenbaum
Contributing Entertainment Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Just ahead of the start of the 2025-26 NBA regular season, the Dallas Mavericks have made a big decision on the contract of a critical center.
Dallas has gone all-in on its frontcourt since trading a package led by five-time All-NBA First Team guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for power forward/center Anthony Davis, 3-and-D swingman Max Christie, and the Lakers' 2029 first-round pick.
More news: Mark Cuban Reveals Shocking New Insight Into Mavericks’ Luka Doncic Trade
Read More on NBA
Davis joined a loaded group of incumbent bigs, including starting center Dereck Lively II, reserve Daniel Gafford, former starting power forward PJ Washington, and big man Dwight Powell.
...
Now, the Mavericks are adding 6-foot-10 former Duke forward Cooper Flagg into the mix. Although he's the size of a power forward, Flagg's ball handling acumen may have Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd lining the No. 1 pick up as a point forward in a perimeter role.
Per the Mavericks' Public Relations X account, Dallas has picked up its $7.2 million fourth-year team option for Lively, meaning he'll be under contract through 2026-27.
This deal may not come as a surprise, per se, as the former No. 12 pick out of Duke has already established himself as lethal, athletic rim-runner. He was a great lob partner for Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but with Doncic gone and Irving rehabbing an ACL tear, Lively will be looking to players like D'Angelo Russell and Flagg to set him up.
The 7-foot-1 big man has missed significant time across each of his first two seasons in Dallas, averaging 45.5 games per. Last year, across 23.1 minutes a game, Lively averaged 8.7 points on 70.2 percent field goal shooting and 63 percent free throw shooting, 7.5 boards, 2.4 dimes, 1.6 blocks and 2.4 assists across just 36 healthy games (29). A right ankle stress fracture limited his availability. Still, when he's on the court, Lively is a valuable defensive piece and scorer around the rim.
More: Stephen A Smith Makes Bold Declaration on 2025-26 NBA Champion
Where Lively, Davis, and Flagg fit into Kidd's system remains to be seen. By the end of the Mavericks' preseason, Kidd has been starting Flagg at the point, former five-time All-Star Klay Thompson at shooting guard, Washington at small forward, Davis at the four, and Lively at center.
Power forward has emerged as Davis' preferred position, although with his heavier frame and his lack of an outside shot he may make more sense at center.
More news: Mark Cuban Gets Brutally Honest on Relationship With Luka Doncic After Trade
For all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines