The Dallas Mavericks are facing an uncomfortable reality regarding the future of their frontcourt.
While Dereck Lively II is expected to be ready by training camp after undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs from his right foot, the procedure marks yet another chapter in what’s becoming a concerning trend. Lively has now dealt with two significant injuries to the same foot in just over a year, after missing 36 games last season with a stress fracture.
Although the Mavericks remain publicly optimistic about his recovery, these recurring issues raise a legitimate question: Should Dallas begin to view Lively as injury-prone and start planning for the future without relying on him as their long-term anchor at center?
That conversation naturally turns to Daniel Gafford, who arrived last season and immediately became a stabilizing force in the paint. Gafford appeared in 79 games, averaged nearly two blocks per night, and showed he could be a reliable, physical presence in the middle—something the Mavericks desperately need as they navigate through a wave of offseason injuries.
With Kyrie Irving (torn ACL) and Anthony Davis (detached retina) also recovering from surgeries, the Mavericks have entered a period of uncertainty. Their championship window is now dependent on the development of No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, who’s already being asked to carry a heavy load alongside Anthony Davis.
Flagg’s arrival adds a new layer of urgency. With the Mavericks building around the rookie and hoping to stay in contention, durability will matter more than upside. That’s why Gafford’s consistency and availability may give him the edge moving forward, even if Lively remains the more tantalizing long-term prospect when fully healthy.
The Mavericks don’t need to give up on Lively, but they should start seeing him for what he currently is: a talented young big whose body has yet to prove it can handle the rigors of an NBA season. If Dallas wants to remain competitive and build a roster that can survive an 82-game grind, Daniel Gafford may be the safer, more intelligent choice as the center of the future.
