Dereck Lively II has inked his rookie scale contract with the Mavericks, the team announced along with a video of the signing.
As the 12th pick in this year’s draft, Lively is eligible to receive $4,775,640 in his first season and can make $22,282,690 over the four-year contract, as our breakdown of rookie scale salaries shows.
The Duke center took advantage of a strong showing during the pre-draft process to rise up draft boards. Dallas had considered taking him at No. 10, but was able to trade down two spots and still get its preferred selection.
That trade sent Davis Bertans into Oklahoma City’s cap room, so it couldn’t be completed until after the July moratorium, which likely delayed Lively’s signing by a few days.
Lively was one of the top recruits out of high school last year, but injuries slowed him down during his lone season at Duke. He earned spots on the ACC’s All-Freshman and All-Defensive teams while averaging 5.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 32 games.
Dallas’ No. 24 overall pick, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, is one of three first-rounders who have yet to officially sign their rookie contracts.
amazing you can get drafted 12th with that stat line. it shows you how watered down the NBA drafts are. I’d trade every pick I could each year if that’s the best you can find at 12.
He has zero offensive skills other than dunking. He is completely raw and absolutely a project.
However, he is a true center. He has great size, protects the rim, and can run the floor like a wing. He has the potential to be a rare true center who brings rim protection while at the same time being a switchable defender.
He is the type of guy who has the size and foot speed to chase guys like Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren around the perimeter, while also being able to body them inside with size.
Every NBA team has a true center. Except Warriors
Lively is raw on offense. But is an athletic big, a true center. Has the potential to be a major rim protector like Rudy. And a good rebounder. That alone is worth it.
As an athletic big. He can develop offense. He has soft hands. Unlike Mitch on Knicks. Still very young so you can’t make assumptions now. Plus having Luka will get him easy looks. He’s a great pick for Mavs. Just don’t rush him. I’d play him G-league for at least half a year.
O-Max already signed at the time of this articles publishing. It’s on the Mavs official team and PR Twitter feeds.
Lively better be the real deal since the Mavs tanked on purpose to rob Knicks of a first round pick. I thought Mavs would have traded pick for an established Veteran
I think they just announced the trade for him — don’t see anything about him having signed yet (though obviously it’s just a formality).
Another Duke Bust
You mean like Tatum, Irving, Ingram, Grant Hill… dude, inform yourself, don’t flaunt your ignorance for all to see!!!