Sule Peter Shedrack
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
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.
NBA Injury Update: Mavericks’ Jason Kidd Gave an Update on Injured Star Point Guard 3 Dallas Mavericks center tion.
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.
