The Dallas Mavericks are set to enter training camp without one of their key players fully cleared from injury.
According to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, Mavericks center Dereck Lively II has not yet been cleared for training camp as he continues to recover from foot surgery he underwent in December.
MacMahon added that Lively's status for the start of the regular season remains uncertain.
However, the 22-year-old has not suffered any setbacks and is gradually ramping up toward basketball activities.
Lively enters fourth season with Dallas
Dereck Lively
Dereck Lively
After emerging as a key contributor during the Mavericks' run to the 2024 NBA Finals as a rookie, Lively has endured an injury-plagued stretch over the past two seasons.
His 2024-25 campaign was disrupted by a right ankle stress fracture that forced him to miss 36 games. He later underwent offseason surgery to remove bone spurs from his right foot.
The following season, Lively suffered a sprained right knee before undergoing season-ending surgery on his right foot in December after appearing in just seven games.
Due to the injury, Lively played only seven games last season, averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in around 16 minutes per game.
The former No. 12 overall pick holds career averages of 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 22.9 minutes per game.