Should the Mavs make long-term commitments this offseason on eligible players, who might they choose first?
The Dallas Mavericks have a lot on their plate this summer.
A new front office is searching for the franchise's 11th head coach after parting ways with Jason Kidd.
An NBA Draft holds immense pressure with Dallas' two top-30 picks being its last controllable first-rounders until 2031.
The executive team is handling ongoing discussions surrounding a new arena and entertainment district.
And through it all, the Mavs are challenged with managing this year's crop of free agents and players eligible for contract extensions.
Regarding that latter point, there a few notable names that Mavs fans would want to stick around for the long-term. Dallas' deadline trade of Anthony Davis was a full-scale commitment to financial flexibility, which will help the team build around teenage star Cooper Flagg.
Dereck Lively II, Max Christie and Naji Marshall are top names front-office insider Bobby Marks says are candidates to watch for a contract extension.
Who first? There's a case for each.
Can Lively Still Be Mavs Big Man of the Future?
Dereck Lively II has played less than 40 percent of the Mavs' games since he was drafted in 2023. Although he's proven to be a contributing threat on both sides of the interior, the injury history is substantial.
Since Lively was Dallas' starting big in it's NBA Finals run as a rookie, he's played in just 36 and seven games over the last two seasons, respectively. This year, it was complications with a foot issue that is only recently showing signs of forward progress.
Marks says Lively has until the last day of the offseason to sign an extension before going into a contract year. At just 22 years old, the Mavs will still want Lively to develop into his overall game to fit his athletic profile.
But the biggest factor in him growing into that centerpiece for Flagg's future core of teammates, Lively can't afford to continue struggling with injuries.
Sharp-Shooting Season Could Give Christie a Pay Day
Christie had one of the best shooting seasons in franchise history in his first full year as a Maverick.
The 23-year-old still has two years on his contract, paying $8.3 and $8.9 million. After setting a new high in scoring average and 3-point shooting on some of his highest usage of his career, Christie figures to be a valuable offensive asset on the wing for years to come in Dallas.
Questions will come up about his consistency. There were a few stretches this season where he was ice-cold and blistering hot. Steadying those metrics and building on a strong first year in Dallas will do wonders for his fit once the Mavs' lottery rookie also comes into the fold.
Sell High on Marshall? Or Form Versatile Defense Around Two-Way Skillset?
Marshall also had a career-best season. The six-year pro and two-year Mav averaged a career-high 15.2 points and started a career-high 47 games this season. He was often Dallas' most effective two-way player outside of Flagg.
Around the league, Marshall has been generating major trade interest. The Mavs still remain slim when it comes to future draft capital, so there may be intrigue in "selling high" on Marshall in order to get a good return.
That will come down to whether Dallas believes in Marshall, 28, and his potential to fortify the lineup next to Flagg long-term. Younger players like P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford are in this boat, too, and may be more likely trade candidates after down seasons in 2025-26.
Marshall is entering an expiring contract year, and his extension, Marks notes, could be worth up to $92.8 million over four seasons.
Don't Forget the Others
Klay Thompson, Caleb Marin, Khris Middleton and Dwight Powell are also eligible for contract extensions, though some are on different timelines than others. Thompson and Martin can be extended anytime before the conclusion of the Finals, and Middleton and Powell have until the end of June.
