MAVS NEWS:

[Chicagojk]

Unrestricted free agent guard Dennis Smith Jr. is working out for the Dallas Mavericks next week, according to a source. Smith Jr. last played in the NBA for the Brooklyn Nets when he appeared in 56 games during the 2023-24 season. The 27-year-old North Carolina State product was selected ninth overall by the Mavericks in the 2017 NBA Draft.

According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Smith Jr. is also working out for the Philadelphia 76ers as part of a two-day veteran minicamp. The Mavericks are expected to hold a similar camp on June 9 & 10, but it is unconfirmed whether Smith Jr.’s workout will be part of that or something separate. Just yesterday, video surfaced of Dennis Smith Jr. playing pick-up with current Maverick Klay Thompson in Miami.

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Smith Jr. signed with the Wisconsin Herd, the Milwaukee Bucks G-League affiliate, in December 2024, but he did not appear in any games. In January 2025, the former Maverick guard signed with Real Madrid of the Spanish Liga ACB and the EuroLeague where he only appeared in two games and averaged just over 10 minutes before parting ways in February.

The Mavericks need backcourt help this summer with Kyrie Irving likely sidelined until early 2026, and, due to a complicated cap sheet, the only realistic targets for Dallas will likely have to come via a veteran’s minimum contract and/or trade. As he is clearly on the hunt for a return to the NBA, Dennis Smith Jr.’s next contract would likely come as an Exhibit 10, non-guaranteed or standard minimum.

Dennis Smith Jr. would immediately provide a boost to Dallas’ perimeter defense, but his offensive game and health has proven inconsistent throughout his seven seasons in the NBA. Statistically, the best season of his NBA career came in his rookie season with the Mavericks when he averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 69 games; he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second team in 2018. Smith Jr. was traded from Dallas the following season and has since played for the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets.

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