Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II has not been cleared for training camp and his status for the start of the regular season has yet to be determined as he continues to recover from right foot surgery, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
After playing a key role as a rookie in the Mavericks' run to the 2024 NBA Finals, Lively's promising career has been derailed by recurring problems with his right foot, which has been surgically repaired twice in the past 14 months.
Lively is ramping up toward being cleared for basketball activity, sources said, emphasizing that the team is not discouraged by his progress.
Dallas begins training camp Saturday.
Lively has played a total of only 43 games in the past two seasons. He underwent his second surgery in December, ending his 2025-26 season after appearing in only seven games.
Lively, 22, the No. 12 pick in the 2023 draft, is entering the final season of his rookie contract.
If healthy, the 7-foot-1, 230-pound Lively could be a significant part of Dallas' long-term core as the Mavericks attempt to build a contender around reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.
Lively, an athletic big man who is an excellent finisher and versatile defender, has career averages of 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 22.9 minutes.