How a $750K tanking decision helped Dallas reach the NBA Finals with Dereck Lively II

BOSTON – Losing for Lively was not a popular tanking catchphrase in the NBA last season.

But tanking worked for the Dallas Mavericks.

They lost a game to the Bulls, protected a top-10 draft pick and traded it to get Dereck Lively II. He made an immediate and impactful contribution to the rotation and is one of the main reasons the Mavericks are in Boston preparing for Game 2 of the NBA Finals (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC).

But the Mavericks' choice - a costly one in more ways than one - was unpopular with many, particularly those in the NBA league office.

The Mavericks were in the mix for a spot in the play-in game format, but to keep their lottery pick, which was top-10 protected, they wanted to miss the postseason.

Had the Mavs made the play-in, they wouldn’t have been in the top 10 and would’ve had to give the pick to New York as part of a previous trade involving Kristaps Porzingis, who now plays for Boston.

MORE:Kristaps Porzingis' instant impact off bench in NBA Finals Game 1 exactly what Celtics needed

MORE:'He’s so DAMN GOOD!!!': What LeBron James has said about Dan Hurley in the past

So, 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 irate and fined the Mavericks $750,000 for “for conduct detrimental to the league in an elimination game,” the NBA said in a news release.

NBA executive vice president/head of basketball operations 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 draft-day trade, swapping their No. 10 pick for Oklahoma City’s No. 12 pick, and selected Duke center Lively.

Lively immediately became a significant 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, which makes them one of the league’s top offensive teams.

The Mavs beat three 50-win teams in the Western Conference playoffs. Lively again was 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 improve. It’s hard to argue against their plan today.

“In terms of what Dallas did last year, we sanctioned them,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday before Game 1. “We did what we thought was appropriate at the time. I would only say that the success they saw this season, that they're now seeing in the Playoffs and here they are at the Finals, I don't attribute it to one draft pick, as important as that draft pick has been to their team.”

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 significant 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. I was sitting there with my fingers crossed hoping I could get to Dallas. Grateful that I was able to get drafted to Dallas.

“Our first workout, when we played 5-on-5 and me and Luka were on the same team, everybody saw what could possibly happen throughout the season, and it’s not a surprise we got this far.”

Losing for Lively turned into playing in the Finals.

Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt