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Lively's Camp Clock Collides With His Own Return Date

Hoops Rumors and ESPN say the center isn't cleared for camp, right as his target return meets the preseason opener.

2026-10-09Lively Return Est.same day as preseason opener
2026-10-01Irving Return Est.left knee, ahead of camp
$197.9MPayroll Totalabove cap, below tax line
2026-10-21Season Openerat Rockets, on the road
By the Mavericks Nightly Desk · Thursday, September 24

Hoops Rumors and ESPN both reported Lively has not been cleared for training camp, threatening to push his return past the start of the season. His file still lists an October 9 target — the same day Dallas opens the preseason against Houston.

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Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

A Report Complicates Lively's Clock

The two reports differ from what's already on file. Hoops Rumors said Lively has not been cleared for camp and could miss the start of the season; ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported the same, citing his own sources. Dallas' own estimate for the right foot and leg issue still points to October 9, which lines up with the preseason opener against Houston.

More Camp Clocks Are Ticking

Irving carries his own estimated return of October 1 for a left knee issue, an earlier target than Lively's. If either slips, Dallas has depth to lean on: Gafford anchored the roster's most efficient five-man unit last season, a net rating of plus-2.2 over 73 minutes alongside Washington, Christie and Flagg, and Cisse's minutes rose by 13 a night over the final three games of last season whenever a teammate sat out.

Payroll Set, Preseason On The Clock

None of that changes the numbers off the floor. Dallas carries $197.9 million in salary, above the cap and below the $200.4 million tax line. The preseason opens October 9 against Houston, with the Rockets again on October 11, the Pelicans on October 14 and the Hawks on October 16, ahead of an October 21 regular-season opener at Houston.

Will Dereck Lively play in Dallas' preseason opener?

Uncertain. His own estimated return is October 9, the same date as the preseason opener against Houston, but Hoops Rumors and ESPN both report he has not been cleared for camp and could miss the start of the season.

When does Dallas' regular season begin?

October 21, on the road against the Houston Rockets.

By the Mavericks Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.

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