Dereck Lively II was still getting used to his role in the Dallas Mavericks roster when the team went through a change in the trade deadline that completely changed his career’s trajectory.
Luka Doncic’s departure from the team via trade was a shocking move that not only rooted the city’s beloved basketball icon out of the Dallas- Fort Worth area but also changed the Mavs’ playing style and priorities moving forward.
Lively II went from expecting easy lobs from one of the most effective field generals to working alongside a paint beast like Anthony Davis. Radical adjustments had to be made again after Kyrie Irving went down with a season-ending ACL tear.
While the team barely managed to make the play-in tournament, their road to an NBA Finals return looks like a climb up Mount Everest. Jason Kidd—currently doing all he can to salvage a respectable playoff performance from a drained roster—thinks Lively can turn things around for the squad if he does one thing.
Jason Kidd needs Dereck Lively to contribute on offense and rebounding to help the Dallas Mavericks win playoff games
Kidd understands that his playmaking corps is hampered without Irving on the floor, but Spencer Dinwiddie has been more than ready to take over Uncle Drew’s responsibilities at point guard. AD is also capable of getting easy assists with his playmaking.
The problem now lies with scoring more points. While the Mavs have several good shooters, Davis would be too tied up doing multiple things at once to score every possession. Kidd needs Lively II to take over some of AD’s scoring when the forward inevitably gets double-teamed.
Kidd talked about Lively’s performance in their 102-124 win over the Toronto Raptors, and he thinks Lively’s increased minutes should help become a more consistent double-double machine for them.
Per ClutchPonts’ Joey Mistretta:
“Our style of basketball has changed, just understanding he’s had to pivot… He’s done a great job of studying and working with the coaches to understand the double-teams and where to be. To see that tonight, to get the double-double, his opportunities, come off with the offensive rebounds and then our pace. If we can play at this pace that definitely helps him.
“To see him be able to do that tonight is a plus and we’re going to need him to do that as we go forward.”
The 20-year-old Philadelphia native is having another good season for the Mavs, averaging 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.6 blocks. While these numbers are impressive, his injuries only kept him on the floor for only 37 games if he’s playing at the team’s final regular season game.
The minutes Lively’s getting can help him grow as a player. Depending on his performance in the play-in tournament, he can become the best big man partner AD has had in his career.
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