Should You Keep or Drop Dereck Lively? | Fantasy Basketball 2024
Is Dereck Lively a Worthwhile Center for Your Fantasy Roster?
The hold of the rookie break-out center has been a hot-button issue in the NBA fantasy world since the Dallas Mavericks decided to bring in former Washington Wizard Daniel Gafford in a move during the NBA Trade deadline. Prior to the trade, Lively was touted as one of the top fantasy category league centers, even as a rookie, ranking in the top 100 in standard leagues for majority of the season. Lively is a high-flying, rim-running, lob threat who adds high-volume stocks in 28 minutes this season. Lively is averaging 9.2 points, 7.8 rebounds 2.1 stocks, and has shot an incredible 74% for the season as the Mavericks starter for the majority of the year. That said, fantasy owners are skeptical if the big is worth holding on to now that he’ll be sharing time at the center spot with the also talented rim-running big man, Daniel Gafford. Here are the arguments as to whether you should keep or drop the rookie center on your fantasy squad.
Why You Should Keep Lively...
In Lively's first game back from his 2 week injury hiatus due to a nose procedure, Lively posted a promising stat line of 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks on 3/5 shooting in just 17 minutes of play. Lively has continued to produce all the value we look for in him with his high shooting percentage, good rebounding, and killer defensive instinct even in the decreased playtime. Lively’s minutes will increase post-all-star weekend as he builds back his stamina and I expect a more 50/50 minutes split with Daniel Gafford for the remainder of the season.
If we look at a team like the Atlanta Hawks, it isn’t “out of this world” that two centers can split playing time and both be viable fantasy league contributors at high levels in the case of Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu who both rank inside the top 120 in standard leagues for the last couple seasons. Lively probably won’t be near the peak of what he was as a full-time starter earlier this season, who on Dec 2nd posted a line of 20 point, 16 rebound, 7 blocks masterpiece with an efficient 9/9 shooting from the field. Even so, if Lively could stay around a 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 stock line with the continued 70% shooting, he can maintain his 10 team and up value in “category leagues” despite the minutes split.
Happy 20th birthday to Dereck Lively.
Came in from game 1, and smashed even the loftiest of expectations…
He is just scratching the surface. pic.twitter.com/FbigofUNwP
Why You Should Drop Lively
Lively in a points league is a drop unfortunately for the remainder of the fantasy year. Lively's value rest of season is strictly beneficial for category leagues because of the usage hit he’ll take sharing time with Gafford. Also Lively's best outings this season came when seeing over 30 minutes a game, which he most likely won’t be seeing unless an unfortunate injury were to happen to Gafford. Lively also has compiled a number of missed games during his rookie campaign, only suiting up in 37 out of 55 games this season for the Mavericks, dealing with a multitude of injuries throughout the year.
With the uncertainty of Lively's health, managers could look for a more reliable player to roster heading into the stretch run of the season. Also a huge key factor in dropping Lively would be his unfavorable fantasy playoff schedule. If your playoffs start Week 19(Mar 4th-March-10), the Mavericks only play a total of 9 games in a 3-week span, which is tied for the lowest number of games throughout that stretch, with a 2-game week slapped right in the middle. With Lively’s cut in play, it probably would be better served to go a different route with a player who plays more games during the playoff stretch.
Final Breakdown
Derrick Lively isn’t for everybody at this point. Lively isn’t a “must roster” player going forward as he was before the trade for Gafford, but if you’re looking at your waivers and there isn’t a clear-cut replacement for the big, it doesn’t hurt to keep him depending on your situation. If he is at the latter end of your roster, you’re probably in good shape and can endure a slight drop in production. The blocks will remain along with the high percentage from the field which is mostly why we picked up Lively to begin with.
