The Big D Breakdown: Beat Writers Split On Lively, Martin…

By the Mavericks Nightly Desk · Thursday, October 1

Outside coverage this week circles three threads: whether Dallas's front-court depth survives two injuries at once, what Caleb Martin's contract is worth keeping, and whether a last roster spot or Kyrie Irving's trade rumors change anything on the floor. Camp facts mostly back the questions, not easy answers.

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Front Court Thins At Once

The Smoking Cuban's Noah Weber argues Dallas's patience with Dereck Lively pays off no matter how frustrating the wait looks, then separately writes that center depth has gone from strength to question mark after the latest word on Morez Johnson. Both bigs carry a Day-To-Day label, a foot issue for Lively and a lower-leg issue for Johnson, with camp pointing to an October 9 return for each. Mavs Moneyball's Michael Harris calls it a bounce-back year for Lively, a read the injury list does not contradict but cannot yet confirm either. The Smoking Cuban's Will Miller says Gafford trade chatter needs rethinking if he starts hitting threes, a real swing since he shot zero percent from deep across 55 games last season.

Martin's Price Tag Debate

Mavs Moneyball's Kirk Henderson writes that Caleb Martin remains a Maverick, full stop, while the Smoking Cuban's Austin McGee warns the team can't afford to let his deal get pricier. Martin is entering his seventh season at 31, still on the roster as camp runs; nothing in the team's own payroll breakdown puts a number on his contract, so McGee's cost concern stands on its own for now.

Last Spot And Irving Rumors

Two more threads run at the Smoking Cuban. Weber floats Rob Dillingham as an option for the last spot, though Dillingham is not among the twenty names Dallas is carrying into camp. The same byline says Tarik Biberovic can't lean on his jumper alone to lock down a rotation job, worth noting since Biberovic is already on that twenty-man list as a rookie wing. Weber also argues Dallas is the right fit for Irving regardless of trade rumors; Marc Stein's September 28 report grouped his name with Powell, Kessler and Duren, the one sourced rumor behind the noise, while Irving himself carries a left knee issue, the same roster status as the two bigs above, and the team's largest contract at $39.5 million.

Is Dereck Lively ready for the season opener?

Not yet confirmed — he is listed Day-To-Day with a foot issue and an estimated return of October 9, the same target date given for Morez Johnson.

Did the Mavericks trade Kyrie Irving?

No. The only reporting tying his name elsewhere is Marc Stein's September 28 roundup grouping him with Powell, Kessler and Duren, and Irving remains on Dallas's roster, listed Day-To-Day with a left knee issue.

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.