What will Dereck Lively II look like on Mavericks without Luka Doncic?

The Dallas Mavericks are shifting focus from the Luka Doncic era to the Cooper Flagg era, emphasizing the "defense wins championships" mantra. Third-year center Dereck Lively II, the Mavericks' 2023 first-round pick, is central to this defensive identity, with his primary upside being rim protection.

Lively II, alongside center Daniel Gafford, transformed the Mavericks from one of the NBA's worst paint-defending teams into one of the best during the last season. While their individual statistics (except field-goal percentage) weren't eye-popping, their defensive presence significantly boosted team morale and shifted the team's culture.

This defensive improvement helped Dallas reach the 2024 NBA Finals by winning the Western Conference, their first Finals appearance in 13 years. Although they lost to the Boston Celtics in five games, it signaled the team's potential to compete for championships.

The franchise direction changed dramatically on February 2nd when GM Nico Harrison executed a shocking trade, sending five-time First-Team All-NBA point guard Luka Doncic to the Lakers for veteran center Anthony Davis. While Dallas secured the top pick in the 2025 draft and selected Cooper Flagg, the trade left fans shocked and angry.

Losing Doncic is expected to negatively impact Lively II's offensive production, as most of his scoring came from Doncic's passes. Maintaining his high defensive impact is crucial for the Mavericks to remain competitive in the West despite the anticipated scoring dip.

Lively II also faced significant injury challenges. A front office decision to replace head trainer Casey Smith led to a misdiagnosed stress fracture; he was nearly forced to play on the injury in January before ultimately missing two months. He recently underwent surgery for bone spurs in his foot, having played only 36 games last season. While expected for training camp, his injury history makes him prone to missing time.

Despite injury concerns and the trade fallout, Dallas critically needs Lively II for the upcoming season. His role as a defensive stalwart and potential mentor to fellow Duke draftee Cooper Flagg positions him as a major part of the Mavericks' future.