Earlier this week, the Dallas Mavericks exercised their fourth-year team option on Dereck Lively II for the 2026-27 season, meaning that his contract will expire after next season. If Dallas didn't believe in his future, they could've allowed his contract to expire after this season, but he'll remain a franchise cornerstone for at least the next two seasons.
Even with Daniel Gafford, Anthony Davis, and Cooper Flagg being major pieces of the Mavericks' future as well, Nico Harrison clearly believes in Lively II and what he can bring to the floor now and into the future, and this move was a no-brainer as Dallas kicks off the Flagg era tomorrow.