The Mavericks are signing Dennis Smith Jr. to a one-year contract, in response to Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter hyperlink). Dallas chosen Smith with the No. 9 total choose within the 2017 draft and he spent the primary season and a half of his profession there.
Dallas has 15 gamers on normal contracts earlier than signing Smith, together with Brandon Williams, who is just assured for $200K till opening evening.
Smith’s contract is presumably solely partially assured, establishing a chance for him to earn a spot on the opening-night roster if he performs properly sufficient in coaching camp. The competitors for the fifteenth spot might come right down to both Smith or Williams, however the Mavericks might look to commerce another person to clear a spot in the event that they so select.
Earlier than the Mavericks waived and stretched Olivier-Maxence Prosper‘s contract to convey again Dante Exum, they reportedly toyed with the thought of shifting Jaden Hardy. It’s unclear whether or not that’s nonetheless on the desk in any respect, but when the Mavericks wished to maintain each Smith and Williams, it might imply shifting Hardy or one other participant by way of commerce to clear up a spot.
Smith, a 6’2″ guard out of NC State, averaged 14.5 factors and 4.9 assists in 101 video games (all begins) with the Mavericks from 2017-19. He was moved on the 2019 deadline to the Knicks in alternate for Kristaps Porzingis. Since then, he hasn’t performed greater than 58 video games for a franchise, turning into a journeyman guard from 2019-24.
Smith had maybe his most spectacular season of his profession in 2022/23, turning into one of many premier guard defenders within the league whereas enjoying for the Hornets and averaging 8.8 factors and 4.8 assists. Nonetheless, the Hornets didn’t convey him again and he performed the next season for Brooklyn earlier than not enjoying within the NBA final season.
In all, Smith holds profession averages of 9.7 factors, 4.2 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals throughout 326 profession video games (152 begins).
