Kai

Jones

Gafford will be back after sitting out the second night of the Mavericks’ back-to-back on Saturday. He’ll likely split the center minutes with Dereck Lively II, with Lively starting. Kai Jones, who has been playing plenty of minutes at center, has been sent down to the G League with both Gafford and Lively available.

Saturday’s game was Lively’s second since returning from a stress fracture in his ankle. As expected, there’s still some rust, and the Mavericks are taking a conservative approach to his workload. Lively only played 15 minutes, offering limited value during his time on the court. With Daniel Gafford (knee) sitting out, Kai Jones assumed the backup center responsibilities and had an excellent night. Shooting 9-of-9 from the field, he finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, one steal and three blocks. However, as good as this line was, fantasy managers whose leagues will be active next week don’t need to pick up Jones. Dallas plays on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, which should ensure that Lively and Gafford are available.

Gafford started on Friday in the first leg of the Mavericks’ mini-series with the Clippers, and there is a chance that he suits up for the second game. However, it is more likely that he sits out, which would allow Kai Jones to once again play a large role off the bench, with Dereck Lively II starting at center.

Lively will sit out the first leg of the Mavericks’ back-to-back set with the Clippers, which will likely allow Daniel Gafford to start. With both players coming off lengthy absences, Gafford will likely sit out on Saturday, with Lively returning to the starting lineup. Kai Jones should take on extra minutes in both games.

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported Lively is “trending toward” a return this week, and that could come against Atlanta. It will have been 2.5 months since Lively last played, so managers should expect him to be on a strict minutes restriction. However, between Lively and Daniel Gafford, there may not be many minutes left over for Kai Jones at center.

Gafford will play for the first time since February 9, and he will immediately return to the starting unit. He’ll replace Kai Jones as the starting center, but Gafford is on a 15-20 minutes restriction. Jones should still play a significant role off the bench.

Lively was upgraded to questionable ahead of this game, but his return will be delayed for at least one more game. Lively hasn’t suited up since January 14, but ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported he is “trending toward” a return later this week. That is backed up by his questionable tag. If it’s not Wednesday against the Hawks, Lively could play in one leg of the Mavs’ mini-series with the Clippers on Friday and Saturday. With Daniel Gafford returning on Monday, Kai Jones could be pushed out of the rotation soon.

Due to a stress fracture in his ankle, Lively has not appeared in a game since January 14. That may change on Monday, as he’s considered questionable. With Daniel Gafford (knee) probable to play, Kai Jones may fall out of the rotation entirely if Lively is also available. If Lively does not play, Jones should still log rotation minutes available.

While Martin will provide additional depth off the bench, Jones’s status impacts the Mavericks and fantasy basketball more. He has started alongside Anthony Davis and is worth rostering in deep leagues while Dallas awaits the return of Daniel Gafford (knee) and Dereck Lively II (ankle).

Gafford and Lively will remain out for another game, which means Kai Jones will continue to start alongside Anthony Davis. Jones is worth streaming in deep leagues when allowed to start. As for Gafford and Lively, there is optimism that they’ll be able to return to action sometime next week. The Mavericks play four games during Week 22, starting with the Nets on Monday.