Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively underwent surgery to fix bone spurs in his foot, but is expected to return before training camp, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Lively had an injury-riddled 2024 season, only playing in 36 games due to a foot fracture suffered against the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game last season.
The big man has played a critical role for the franchise since being drafted and has excelled as a lob threat and defensive rim protector through his first two NBA seasons.
The Mavs got insurance at the center position over the summer when they signed Daniel Gafford to a three-year $54 million contract if the Duke product were to miss more time than initially expected.
The Mavs will start the season off without guard Kyrie Irving, who is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season.