The Dallas Mavericks have lost four straight games and are down Luka Doncic for at least most of the month. With Doncic on the shelf for a calf strain, other players are needed to step up. It was expected that Kyrie Irving would be the main man, but he’s missed a few games recently, and Dallas needs to give him some help. So which player needs to break out in 2025?
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report recently tackled this question for every team, naming Dereck Lively II as the Maverick that “desperately” needs to break out this year.
“Following a 2023-24 campaign in which he finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting, it looked like a monster sophomore season was coming for Lively,” Swartz started. “The 7-footer has been good this year (8.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 blocks) but can still get into foul trouble, which has led to a restriction in minutes (24.1 a game). Getting through the West will be even more challenging this year for the Dallas Mavericks, especially with the Oklahoma City Thunder looking like the title favorite of the conference. A leap from Lively would go a long way in helping Dallas make the Finals once again, especially if he starts shooting threes and becomes more disciplined defensively.”…