Mavericks Notes: Thompson, Flagg, Nembhard, Offseason
The Mavericks wrapped up their second straight non-playoff season Sunday night, and Klay Thompson‘s time with the organization may be nearing an end, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News writes in a subscriber-only piece. Thompson has one season remaining at nearly $17.5MM on the three-year contract he signed when he decided to leave Golden State in the summer of 2024, but he’s no longer an obvious fit on a rebuilding team.
The Mavs were coming off an NBA Finals appearance when Thompson made his free agent decision, and he was looking forward to continuing that success by teaming up with Luka Doncic. The shocking Doncic trade last season and the subsequent emergence of rookie Cooper Flagg as the franchise centerpiece may result in the 36-year-old Thompson being traded to a contending team this summer.
“I’m not sure,” Thompson responded Sunday when asked if he expects to still be with the Mavericks next season. “I’m under contract so I do, but I’ve definitely learned in my time in Dallas that things can change on a dime.”
Curtis notes that Thompson remained productive this season, averaging 11.7 PPG in 69 games, mostly in a reserve role, while shooting 38.3% from three-point range. He hit four-three pointers in Sunday’s win over Chicago, giving him more than 200 in a season for the 11th time in his career.
Thompson’s future won’t be decided until Dallas hires its next general manager, but he’s happy to still be playing no matter where he winds up.
“I have been very grateful to be here and to make it through the season healthy,” Thompson said. “I know my years are numbered going forward so every night in an NBA jersey, I take full advantage of it.”
There’s more from Dallas:
- Flagg’s remarkable rookie season ended early on Sunday when he was forced out of the game with an ankle injury late in the first quarter, Curtis adds in a separate story. Flagg scored 10 points in 10 minutes before departing and averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the year. He’s expected to finish first or second in a tight Rookie of the Year race with Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel. “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do, and he’s done it at a high level with a smile,” coach Jason Kidd said. “He enjoys the game. He wants to win. He’s a great teammate. He’s a great player to coach. … We’re seeing a historic rookie season. It’s fan appreciation night. We have the best fans, but we also have one of the best players in the world present at the age of 19 and the future.”
- Rookie point guard Ryan Nembhard, who had his two-way contract converted to a standard deal last month, also looks like part of the future in Dallas. He closed out the season with 23 assists on Sunday, setting a new franchise record for a regulation-length (ie. non-overtime) contest, according to the Mavericks (Twitter link). The Mavs hold a $2.2MM team option on Nembhard for next season.
- Dallas gained a lot of financial flexibility by trading Anthony Davis to Washington in February, Bobby Marks of ESPN states in his offseason wrapup. The Mavericks won’t have cap space this summer, but by escaping the apron they’ll be able to use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception and the bi-annual exception. They’re currently about $38MM away from the luxury tax and $45MM below the first apron. Marks points to Dereck Lively II, Max Christie and Naji Marshall as extension candidates for the summer.
Mavericks Notes: GM Search, Flagg, Middleton, Lively
Mavericks CEO Rick Welts and president Ethan Casson provided an update on the team’s search for a permanent general manager on Thursday, per Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. Both executives said the team isn’t in a rush to make a hire, while Welts confirmed the Mavs are aiming to have a top basketball decision-maker in place ahead of June’s draft.
Dallas currently has Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi operating as co-interim GMs, and both are candidates for the permanent job. Finley believes he’s prepared for the position.
“I think I am Dallas,” Finley said before Thursday’s Mavs Ball. “I’m everything that Dallas is about. I played here through the good times and bad times and as a fan of the Mavericks, I know what it takes and I know what the fans are looking for. I would love to have the chance to lead this franchise into the future and to, ultimately, championship contenders.”
Riccardi, meanwhile, said it hasn’t been difficult to manage being a candidate for the permanent role.
“I think it’s easy for Fin and myself,” Riccardi said. “All we care about is what’s best for the organization. We put the organization first in everything that we do. Let the rest of it take care of itself.”
Multiple sources who spoke to Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com praised Riccardi’s experience, relationship-building acumen, “selflessness and substance.”
“He has no ego,” one source said of Riccardi. “That’s who you want running a front office. Just look at where ego got Nico Harrison.”
Previous reports have indicated that the Mavericks are looking at external candidates with experience running a basketball operations department.
Here’s more on the Mavs:
- Guard Max Christie and head coach Jason Kidd explained why they believe Cooper Flagg deserves to be named Rookie of the Year on Friday, according to Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com. Flagg’s primary competition for the award is his former Duke teammate, Kon Knueppel. “To see what he’s doing on a nightly basis – points, rebounds, assists – he’s playing the game at the right level,” Kidd said. “And these names that (people) have brought up are very impressive (to be compared with). I truly believe he deserves rookie of the year. It’s not easy to come in with all the hype and expectations and be able to deliver – if not be even better than what the expectations were.” Last year’s No. 1 overall pick currently ranks in the top five among rookies in all five major counting statistics (points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks), tweets play-by-play announcer Mark Followill.
- Veteran forward Khris Middleton considered reaching a buyout agreement with Dallas last month to sign with a playoff contender, but decided to stay with the Mavs, who control his Bird rights. As Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal writes, the 34-year-old recently signaled he’s open to re-signing with the team this summer. “For sure. I love the city of Dallas, I’ve been here before,” Middleton said when asked if he could see himself playing in Dallas beyond this season. “I’m familiar with Dallas, I love the area. As far as the organization, it’s been great. I stayed here for a reason. I like where things are headed here. I like the way they’re trying to do things here, so we’ll see what happens.”
- Third-year center Dereck Lively II, who is on the mend after suffering a right foot injury in December which required season-ending surgery, recently said he’s provided an update on the progress he’s making in his recovery, as Afseth relays. “I went from being on a scooter, two crutches, and now I can walk around with a cane,” Lively said. “So I’m definitely getting there. Making sure I don’t rush myself, taking it real slow, and making sure that the scans are gonna give me the advice on what I should do. Not how I feel.”
Mavericks Granted DPEs For Dereck Lively II, Dante Exum
January 7: The Mavericks’ requests for DPEs have been granted, per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link). As outlined below, the exceptions are worth $2,626,680 (for Lively) and $1,148,137 (for Exum).
December 29: The Mavericks have applied to the NBA for disabled player exceptions for both Dereck Lively II and Dante Exum, who have suffered season-ending injuries, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter link).
The DPEs would provide half of each player’s salary, so they would be modest in both cases, although they could offer some flexibility later in the season. The figures would amount to $2,626,680 for Lively (who’s making $5,253,360 on his rookie scale deal) and $1,148,137 for Exum (who has a veteran’s minimum contract worth $2,296,274).
Even if the exceptions are granted, Dallas wouldn’t be able to surpass its second-apron hard cap. The team is currently about $1.29MM below that cap.
Lively, 21, has been experiencing right foot issues since suffering a fracture in his foot/ankle area last January. It kept him out of action for two months and required him to undergo surgery in July in an effort to fix the issue. He continued to be bothered by health problems, missing a nine-game stretch in October and November due to a right knee sprain, then battling nagging discomfort in his right foot.
The decision was made to have him undergo season-ending foot surgery earlier this month.
Lively, who played a huge role in Dallas’ run to the NBA Finals as a rookie, wound up playing just seven games in his third NBA season, averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 16.4 minutes per night.
Exum, 30, who re-signed with the team in August after battling injuries last season, wasn’t able to play at all due to complications related to an offseason procedure on his right knee. He underwent follow-up surgery earlier this month.
Dallas would have until March 10 to use either DPE to acquire a player for the rest of the season. A roster spot would have to be created, and the team can’t fit a new signing under its hard cap until January 6.
Injury Notes: Warriors, Antetokounmpo, Suggs, Flagg, Lively
Jonathan Kuminga is expected to be available on Monday after missing the Warriors‘ win over the Suns on Saturdaydue to an illness, reports The Athletic’s Nick Friedell (Twitter link).
Friedell notes that Kuminga was at Golden State’s film session on Sunday. The 23-year-old forward has only played in one of the Warriors’ previous five games, as he has been in and out of coach Steve Kerr‘s rotation even when he’s active.
Friedell adds that Al Horford and Seth Curry are still out with back and glute injuries, respectively.
Horford has only played 13 games this season, his first with Golden State, and has suited up for two of the team’s last 13 contests. He’s averaging career lows in points and rebounds.
Curry has played just two games since joining the Warriors on December 1. He scored 14 points in just under 18 minutes in his season debut, but was held scoreless in his second outing.
We have more injury news from around the league:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo remains out with the calf strain that has kept him sidelined since early December, but he participated in the Bucks‘ shootaround before Sunday’s contest against the Timberwolves, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic (Twitter video link). Head coach Doc Rivers previously stated that the team would be cautious with their star forward’s recovery process, but this marked a step in the right direction for the two-time MVP.
- Jalen Suggs is listed as questionable for the Magic‘s game against the Warriors on Monday due to a left hip contusion, notes Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel (via Twitter). Suggs has missed the team’s last two games due to the injury. Beede adds that Tristan Da Silva is questionable with a shoulder contusion.
- Mavericks rookie forward Cooper Flagg is questionable for Monday’s game against the Pelicans with a back contusion, writes Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). The No. 1 overall pick has been on a hot streak of late, averaging 27.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.8 blocks over his last four games. Curtis adds that Klay Thompson (left knee soreness), Max Christie (illness), and two-way players Moussa Cisse and Miles Kelly are all questionable for the game as well.
- Dereck Lively II underwent successful surgery on his right foot, the Mavericks announced via their team Twitter account. It was reported on December 10 that Lively would undergo season-ending surgery to address ongoing discomfort in the foot. The operation was performed in London.
Mavs’ Dereck Lively To Undergo Season-Ending Foot Surgery
Dereck Lively II will undergo a procedure to address ongoing discomfort in his right foot, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon, who report (via Twitter) that the Mavericks center will miss the rest of the season as a result of the surgery.
The Mavericks have officially confirmed the news, announcing (via Twitter) that Lively is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp next fall.
It’s a brutal blow for the Mavs and especially for Lively, whose right foot has been an issue since he sustained a fracture in the foot/ankle area last January. That injury sidelined him for over two months and required him to undergo surgery in July in the hopes of fixing the issue.
Although the 21-year-old was cleared to return for opening night, he continued to be plagued by health problems, missing a nine-game stretch in October and November due to a right knee sprain, then battling nagging discomfort in his right foot. Reporting late last month indicated that the Mavs were concerned Lively would require an extended absence, with word breaking last week that he was consulting with multiple doctors about potential next steps.
According to MacMahon (Twitter link), Lively sought second and third opinions on his foot injury in the hopes of avoiding another surgery, but it was ultimately determined that another procedure would be necessary.
Injuries have been a recurring problem for Lively since he entered the NBA as the 12th overall pick in the 2023 draft. He has made only 98 regular season appearances since then, including seven in 2025/26, and has played just 2,242 total regular season minutes — as a point of comparison, 51 NBA players exceeded that total in ’24/25 alone.
When healthy, Lively has been a positive contributor, performing well enough to be viewed as Dallas’ long-term starting center. The former Duke standout has averaged 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 22.9 minutes per contest while shooting 72.5% from the floor. He also averaged 22.0 MPG off the bench during the Mavs’ run to the 2024 NBA Finals, contributing 7.9 PPG and 7.4 RPG across 21 postseason outings.
With Lively ruled out for the season, the Mavs will lean on Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford in their frontcourt, though both players are considered possible trade candidates. Veteran big man Dwight Powell and two-way player Moussa Cisse are available off the bench to provide depth in the middle, with forward P.J. Washington a candidate to play some small-ball center if needed.
Lively, meanwhile, will become eligible for a rookie scale extension during the 2026 offseason, before he plays his next game. If he and the Mavericks don’t come to terms on a new deal prior to the start of the ’26/27 season, he would be on track for restricted free agency in 2027.
Dallas will likely apply for a disabled player exception in response to Lively’s injury, but it would be worth just $2,626,680 (half of Lively’s $5,253,360 salary) and wouldn’t give the team the ability to surpass its second-apron hard cap. The Mavs are currently operating roughly $1.29MM below that hard cap.
Mavericks Notes: Davis, Nembhard, Thompson, Gafford, Lively
Anthony Davis and his Mavericks teammates were eager to move on to the next game following Friday’s 21-point loss at Oklahoma City, writes Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. Davis missed his first eight shots from the field and was held to two points by one of the NBA’s elite defenses. His only points came with 8:08 left in the fourth quarter, shortly before he checked out of the game for good.
“I hold myself accountable for the play,” Davis said. “When I catch the ball, (they) have guys loaded up … there’s not much room to operate. But we don’t have time to dwell on it.”
As Christian Clark of the Athletic describes, the Thunder used Jaylin Williams as the primary defender on Davis, with Chet Holmgren lurking to provide help. That combination prevented Davis from getting many good looks at the basket.
“That was their game plan,” Davis said. “That’s most teams’ game plan. When I catch the ball, have guys loaded up. Specifically, when I have it in the post. … And they didn’t have Chet on me. Chet was kind of the help on the baseline.”
There’s more on the Mavericks:
- Ryan Nembhard continued to be impressive despite the lopsided loss, Afseth states in a separate story. Coach Jason Kidd said the rookie point guard, who made 4-of-8 shots from the floor and committed just one turnover, held up well under heavy pressure from OKC’s defense. “I thought he did great,” Kidd said. “Being able to find his teammates. … I thought he did a good job of getting guys shots. I thought he attacked.”
- Klay Thompson will miss Saturday’s game against Houston with left knee soreness, while Daniel Gafford is out due to right ankle injury management, Afseth relays in another piece. P.J. Washington, who was a game-time decision because of a sprained right ankle, has been cleared to play (Twitter link).
- As the team previously announced, center Dereck Lively II will seek additional medical opinions on the cause of the swelling and soreness in his right foot. Lively has only been available for seven games this season and hasn’t played since November 21. “For a 21-year-old, it’s tough,” Kidd told reporters, per Afseth. “He wants to play. Unfortunately, he can’t play right now. So hopefully as he goes through this process of finding other opinions on what he should do, it brings resolve and he can get back to playing because we miss him. He misses playing.”
Mavs’ Dereck Lively Seeking Multiple Opinions For Foot Injury
Mavericks center Dereck Lively II is seeking multiple opinions on the next steps to take to treat his injured right foot, according to the team (Twitter link).
Lively was spotted in a walking boot during Wednesday’s shootaround, tweets Christian Clark of The Athletic.
The 12th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Lively last played on November 21 against New Orleans. He has been sidelined with swelling and discomfort in his right foot — the same foot which was surgically repaired over the summer.
Marc Stein reported last week that Dallas was concerned Lively could miss an extended period of time, with the team subsequently stating he would be out at least seven-to-10 days — this is the first update on his status since then.
Lively appeared in the first three games of the season before missing the next nine due to a right knee sprain. The third-year center suited up for four of Dallas’ next six contests, sitting twice during back-to-back sets, before the foot became an issue again.
Even when Lively has been available this season, he has been on a minutes limit. In seven outings (four starts), the 21-year-old has averaged 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 16.4 minutes per night.
The right foot is the same one that Lively injured at the beginning of the year. He was diagnosed in January with a small fracture in his foot/ankle area, which sidelined him until April and limited him to 36 total games in 2024/25. He averaged 8.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, and 1.6 BPG in 23.1 MPG in those 36 appearances.
Mavs Fear Extended Absence For Dereck Lively
12:33 pm: Lively is being evaluated after experiencing swelling and discomfort in his right foot, according to the Mavericks (Twitter link). The team states that he’ll miss the upcoming three-game road trip, with an update on his timeline provided in about seven-to-10 days.
12:14 pm: There’s concern in Dallas that the Mavericks may be without big man Dereck Lively II for an extended period, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Twitter link).
Lively, who underwent surgery on his right foot in July, appeared in the first three games of the season before missing the next nine due to a right knee sprain. The third-year center suited up for four of Dallas’ next six contests, sitting twice during back-to-back sets due to what the team called “right knee injury management.”
However, Lively missed a second consecutive game on Monday in Miami, with his injury designation changing to “right foot injury management.”
Stein doesn’t specify exactly which ailment is of greatest concern for the Mavericks, but whether it’s the foot or the knee, Lively’s right leg doesn’t appear to be back to 100%.
Even when Lively has been available this season, he has been on a minutes limit. In seven outings (four starts), the 21-year-old has averaged 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 16.4 minutes per night.
Injuries have been a recurring problem for Lively, who has made 98 total regular season appearances since joining the Mavs as the 12th overall pick in the 2023 draft. He has been an effective role player when healthy, having played a regular rotation role as a rookie for the Dallas team that made the NBA Finals in 2024.
An extended absence for Lively would be the latest blow to a Mavericks team that has dealt with injuries to several of its most important players this season. On a positive note, big man Anthony Davis, who has missed 14 consecutive games due to a calf strain, appears to be trending toward a return, with the club hoping he can practice on Wednesday.
Anthony Davis Upgraded To Doubtful For Monday
Anthony Davis has been upgraded to doubtful for the Mavericks‘ game against the Heat on Monday night, tweets Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News.
Curtis had noted earlier in the day (via Twitter) that Davis had joined the Mavs on their trip to Miami, and that today marks seven days since the team announced the big man would be re-evaluated in seven-to-10 days as he looks to return from the left calf strain that has caused him to miss the previous 13 games.
Davis has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks following Dallas’ decision to part ways with former general manager Nico Harrison. While many have expected the personnel change to mark the start of a new era of Mavs basketball built around former No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, minority owner Mark Cuban insisted that the club won’t try to trade Davis this season.
Other reports have indicated that proving he can stay healthy and leading the Mavs – who are currently 5-13 – to some wins would be determining factors in whether a team would be willing to put together the type of trade package that would force Dallas to consider dealing the incredibly talented but often-injured forward/center.
Davis is not the only player on the Mavs’ injury report, Curtis writes. Dereck Lively II is out with what the team calls right knee injury management, while guards Brandon Williams and Ryan Nembhard are questionable with lower back tightness and a left knee sprain, respectively.
Mavs Rumors: Davis, Irving, Gafford, Lively, Front Office
Despite minority owner Mark Cuban‘s public statements to the contrary, multiple reporters have heard the Mavericks will explore the trade market for star big man Anthony Davis before the deadline in February.
Marc Stein reports at Substack that Dallas plans to take “any” incoming trade calls on Davis in the coming months, though a deal actually materializing will depend on the quality of potential offers. Davis has a lengthy injury history, Stein notes, and is currently sidelined by a calf strain.
Team sources who spoke to Christian Clark of The Athletic say the Mavs plan to be “opportunistic in pursuing any scenario that strengthens the roster” around Cooper Flagg. Those same sources also insisted Dallas is still in “information-gathering mode” as the team weighs its options for the future.
Here are a few more rumors on the Mavericks:
- According to Stein’s sources, Dallas isn’t looking to solicit offers for Kyrie Irving and would like to retain the nine-time All-Star, who is out indefinitely with a torn ACL. However, Stein points out that the Mavs lack future first-round picks, and suggests their stance on Irving might change if they receive an offer that’s too good to pass up.
- Stein continues to hear center Daniel Gafford would have several suitors if the Mavericks put him on the trade market. The athletic big man has been rounding into form after his season debut was delayed by a right ankle sprain, having averaged 13.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks over his last four games (27.0 minutes per contest).
- In his latest Bleacher Report live stream (YouTube link), NBA insider Jake Fischer said he thinks the Mavs aren’t going to just sell off players to the highest bidders if their values are at a relative low point due to injuries. He made the comment in passing, but Fischer doesn’t expect Dereck Lively II to be among the players on the trading block.
- Both Stein and Clark report that governor Patrick Dumont doesn’t feel a sense of urgency to begin a formal search for a new head of basketball operations after dismissing Nico Harrison. “The timeline won’t determine the hire. The qualifications will determine the hire,” one source familiar with ownership’s thinking told The Athletic. According to Clark, the Mavs are seeking “calmness and stability” from whomever gets selected to run the front office. Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley are currently serving as co-interim general managers.