‘We’re Going To Let Him Shoot’: Dallas Mavericks Give Dereck Lively II Green Light In Year 3

Grant AfsethOctober 2, 2025October 21, 2025no comment

Rashad Miller/DallasHoopsJournal.com

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd wants Dereck Lively II to keep growing, and that now includes shooting the ball.

“We all know he’s mature. We’re going to let him shoot,” Kidd said. “We want him to fight. We want him to be the champion of the paint. We want his leadership. I know this is his third year, so we’re asking a lot for a young player, but we believe he can handle it.”

Lively averaged 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 36 games last season before a right ankle injury ended his year. He didn’t attempt a three-pointer in 2024-25 and is 1-of-3 from deep in his career, including postseason play.

This offseason, he put in significant work to broaden his offensive game.

“I worked on my touch a lot—hook shots, floaters, things like that,” he said. “Also really locked in on my passing, because we’ve got so many guys who can score. I want to be able to make the right reads when I catch the ball inside.”

Fitting Into Jay Triano’s Offense

With new assistant coach Jay Triano implementing Princeton-based principles, spacing and ball movement have been a focal point of Mavericks camp.

Kidd said the team’s offense will demand players occupy the right spots on the floor to create driving lanes and open shots.

“When you look at the spacing here, we are a different team,” Kidd said. “So just being able—creating space, being in the right spots, and then understanding what those spots mean. And just don’t hold onto the ball—attack. We play a little bit faster than we have in the past.”

For Lively, that means selectively stepping out beyond the paint to complement his rebounding and rim protection.

“Not forcing it, just allowing it to come to me,” he said. “Trail three, corner three, just finding the right times to shoot. Going out there and shooting 10 threes ain’t gonna help nobody, but going out there and making two to three and getting a bunch of rebounds, that’s what I’m supposed to do.”

Dereck Lively II’s Development Work

Lively has leaned on Tyson Chandler since being drafted, continuing to refine his positioning and patience in the post. During training camp, he also worked closely with new assistant Phil Handy, known for his player development expertise, on footwork and counters.

Whether pivoting middle into a hook or faking into a stepthrough finish, the drill work emphasized reacting to defenders and finishing efficiently. Getting those reps against Anthony Davis has further sharpened his timing.

“Man, AD is unbelievable,” Lively said. “Watching how he moves defensively—he can guard anybody, protect the rim, switch, everything. Being around him taught me how much communication matters and how every possession counts.”

Bigger Role Ahead

Kidd said Dallas will experiment with single-big and double-big lineups featuring Lively, Davis, Daniel Gafford, and rookie Cooper Flagg.

“You can see a lot of teams are going with two bigs,” Kidd said. “For us, it’s going to be a balance. We’re very fortunate to have a lot of different options.”

The Mavericks believe his expanded game — particularly within Triano’s offense — will help create better spacing and flow while addressing last season’s rebounding issues.

For Lively, the challenge is clear: stay anchored in the paint while embracing new responsibilities on the perimeter. He sees a team that can be the NBA’s best defensively.

“We can be the best. Straight up,” Lively said. “It’s going to take communication and effort every night, but when you look at the length, the athleticism, and the mindset of the guys here, there’s no reason we can’t be dominant defensively.”

The Mavericks continue training camp on Friday in Vancouver before departing for Dallas. The team will open the preseason on Monday in Fort Worth against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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