Anthony Davis is preparing for his first full season with the Dallas Mavericks.
Mavericks Development on Saturday is Good News for Anthony Davis originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Dallas Mavericks shocked the NBA world after finalizing a deal that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis in February. While the controversial trade meant the departure of a Dallas-favorite, it presented Davis an opportunity he had been deprived of during his final years in Los Angeles.
The Lakers, without a natural big, were often forced to deploy Davis at the center role despite his preference for power forward. Now on the Mavericks, Davis was set to return to his natural position, but that vision was suddenly clouded when big man Dereck Lively II suffered a foot injury – one that required surgery. However, on Saturday, the Dallas Mavericks provided an encouraging development on his recovery.
Anthony Davis Receives Encouraging News from Dallas Mavericks
Following an injury in July, Lively, Dallas’s 21-year-old center, reportedly underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his right foot and is expected to be fully healthy for training camp in late September. With fans eagerly anticipating an update on Lively ahead of next season, the Mavericks took to social media on Saturday to update fans on his recovery by posting footage of the big man training in Philadelphia.
Our guy is workin’ his way back 💪@DereckLively // #MFFLpic.twitter.com/UC82Y4PYjv
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) August 16, 2025
The news is particularly encouraging for Davis, who has long emphasized that he thrives when playing power forward next to a traditional center. Shortly before he was traded by the Lakers, Davis told ESPN’s Shams Charania how playing power forward next to a traditional center would be vital to his effectiveness:
“I think we need another big. I feel like I’ve always been at my best when I’ve been the four and having a big out there”
Lively missed roughly two and a half months of the 2024-25 campaign after suffering a stress fracture, limiting him to just 36 games (29 starts) in which he averaged 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game. If he returns at full strength, it would offer Davis the frontcourt support he’s lacked in recent seasons and help the Mavericks maximize their ceiling as they build around their new core.
The Mavericks are NBA Title Contenders Next Season
With Lively on track and Davis healthy following his own off-season surgery for a detached retina, the Mavericks head into training camp with legitimate championship ambitions. Dallas will lean on a frontcourt rotation featuring Davis, Lively, Daniel Gafford, and top draft pick Cooper Flagg.
After reaching the NBA Finals in 2024, the Mavericks failed to make the playoffs last season, finishing 10th in the NBA with a 39-43 record. However, considering their improved roster on paper, they enter next season as one of the top contenders in the Western Conference, and will have their eyes set on a deep playoff run this time around.
Related: Mavericks CEO Makes Feelings on Luka Doncic Clear After Change in Physical Appearance
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
