BOSTON – Losing to Lively was not a popular catchphrase in the NBA last season.
But the tank worked for the Dallas Mavericks.
They lost a game to the Bulls, protected a top-10 Draft pick and traded it to acquire Dereck Lively II. He made an immediate and impactful contribution to the rotation and is a big reason the Mavericks are in Boston preparing for Game 2 of the NBA Finals (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, KeynoteUSA).
But the Mavericks’ choice, costly in more ways than one, was unpopular with many, particularly those in the NBA league office.
The Mavericks were in contention for a spot in the play-in format, but to keep their top-10 lottery pick protected, they wanted to miss the postseason.
Had the Mavs made the play-in, they would not have been in the top 10 and would have had to give the pick to New York as part of an earlier trade involving Kristaps Porzingis, who now plays for Boston.
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Then, the Mavs lost a game to Chicago on April 7, 2023, a game in which Luka Doncic played just under 13 minutes and Kyrie Irving, Maxi Kleber, Christian Wood, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Green did not play. And they missed the postseason.
The league was furious and fined the Mavericks $750,000 for “conduct detrimental to the league in an elimination game,” the NBA said in a news release.
NBA Executive Vice President and Chief Basketball Operations Officer Joe Dumars said the Mavs’ decision “undermined the integrity of our sport” and their actions “failed our fans and our league.”
However…the Mavericks made a minor trade on draft day, trading their No. 10 pick for Oklahoma City’s No. 12 pick, and selecting Duke center Lively.
Lively immediately became an important part of Dallas’ rotation: an active two-way big man who excels in the pick-and-roll, setting screens, catching lobs for dunks and protecting the rim. He averaged 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 assists and shot 74.7% from the field in 23.5 minutes per game as the Mavs went 50-32. With Lively on the court, the Mavericks scored 120.6 points per 100 possessions, making them one of the best offensive teams in the league.
The Mavs beat three 50-win teams in the Western Conference playoffs. Lively was again a big part of that success, averaging 8.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 blocks in 21.5 minutes per game.
Then-Mavs majority owner Mark Cuban and general manager Nico Harrison decided to lose so they could get better. Today it is difficult to argue against his plan.
“In terms of what Dallas did last year, we penalized them,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday before Game 1. “We did what we thought was appropriate at the time. “I would just say that the success that you saw this season, that you are now seeing in the Playoffs and here you are in the Finals, I don’t attribute it to a single draft pick, no matter how important that selection was for your team.”
The silver is partially correct. It was a team effort and Doncic and Irving, among others, were necessary components. It’s a team game. But Lively’s contributions were a major factor.
Lively knew the Mavs were interested and he was interested in playing for the Mavs.
“I was hoping I could go to Dallas because I knew I could make an impact,” Lively said. “I knew what they needed is what I can do. He was sitting there with his fingers crossed hoping he could make it to Dallas. Grateful to have been recruited to Dallas.
“At our first training session, when we played 5v5 and Luka and I were on the same team, everyone saw what could happen throughout the season, and it’s no surprise that we’ve come this far.”
Losing for Lively turned into playing in the final.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt
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