Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II has undergone surgery to remove bone spurs from his right foot, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The procedure was performed as a precautionary measure during the offseason, and Lively is expected to be fully fit by the time training camp begins in September.
Lively’s young NBA career has already been marred by injury setbacks. Last season, he missed more than two months due to a stress fracture in his right ankle. These ongoing physical issues have limited the 21-year-old to just 91 regular-season appearances over his first two years in the league.
He is one of three major Mavericks players recovering from injuries this offseason. Star guard Kyrie Irving is rehabbing from a torn ACL sustained late last season and is expected to be sidelined for much of the upcoming campaign. Additionally, forward Anthony Davis underwent surgery to repair a detached retina but is also projected to be ready for training camp.
Despite the injury concerns, the Mavericks are heading into next season with optimism. Their retooled roster is bolstered by the arrival of No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, who joins a talented frontcourt rotation that includes Lively, Davis, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington.
The team hopes that with a healthy lineup and the integration of their new talent, they can bounce back from a difficult previous season and contend in a competitive Western Conference.
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