elite rim protector with real starter upside
Dereck Lively II is a 7-foot center whose calling card is game-changing defense: elite rim protection, quick reactions on the back line, and the mobility to survive in space while still being a lob threat and efficient finisher. In the 2025-26 season, he’s averaging 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 blocks while shooting 61.1% from the field, a nice snapshot of his low-usage, high-impact profile. The appeal is simple: if you want a big who can anchor the paint, run the floor, and bring real vertical juice, he fits.
