Dante Exum and the Dallas Mavericks have reached a deal on a one-year contract extension, securing his spot with the team as they prepare for the upcoming season. The agreement, centered on the Dante Exum Mavericks contract extension, arrives as Exum is set to play a larger role in the wake of Kyrie Irving‘s injury.
Exum Returns to Mavericks After Considering Other Teams
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Exum weighed offers from two other teams before opting to extend his stay in Dallas. The Mavericks anticipate that Exum will assume more responsibilities in ball-handling duties, especially with D’Angelo Russell, considering Kyrie Irving is expected to miss the beginning of the season as he recovers from an ACL injury.
Career Path Includes NBA, European Leagues, and a Comeback
Exum, approaching his 30th birthday, was drafted fifth overall in 2014 and spent his early NBA years with the Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers. While he initially struggled to become a consistent part of the rotation due to limited offensive output, Exum found opportunities overseas. From 2021 to 2023, he played in Europe for Barcelona and Partizan Belgrade, where he developed a more consistent three-point shot before returning to the NBA and joining the Mavericks ahead of the 2023 season.
Injuries Impact Exum’s NBA Tenure Yet He Shows Value When Healthy
Injury setbacks have been a significant factor affecting Exum’s career, including his most recent NBA stint. He has appeared in only 75 games in the past two seasons, due largely to wrist surgery and a fractured hand that held him to just 20 appearances last year. Nevertheless, when available, Exum has proven to be a valuable contributor for the Mavericks, posting averages of 8.0 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in under 20 minutes per game while shooting .516 from the field, .472 from the three-point range, and .768 from the free-throw line.
Contract Challenges Remain Amid Salary Cap Rules
With Irving’s extension and Russell’s anticipated signing, the Mavericks will face a financial challenge in fitting Exum’s new deal below the NBA’s hard salary cap at the second tax apron, as noted by cap expert Yossi Gozlan. This situation means a related roster change will be necessary to complete all planned signings; waiving Brandon Williams, whose contract has little guaranteed money, presents a straightforward solution, though Williams provided key rotation minutes last season. Additionally, 2023 first-round pick Olivier-Maxence Prosper is reportedly under consideration for a trade.
What This Deal Means for Dallas and Exum’s Future
With the Dante Exum Mavericks contract extension in place, Dallas secures a versatile veteran during a time of transition, as Kyrie Irving’s absence affects the guard rotation. Exum’s continued development, both in the NBA and in Europe, highlights his adaptability. While financial moves are needed to finalize the roster, Exum’s presence offers stability and experience as the Mavericks adapt for the new season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened with Dante Exum?
A. Dante Exum has suffered a broken bone in his left hand. Because of this injury, he will not be able to play for an unknown period of time.
Q. What happened to Dante Exum?
A. Impact
Exum sat out the first 48 games of the season as he healed from surgery on his right wrist. He then broke his left hand in March and was thought to be done for the rest of the 2024-25 season. Despite this, Exum managed to recover in time to play in Dallas’ last four games.
Q. Is Cecil Exum related to Dante Exum?
A. After he stopped playing basketball, Exum stayed in Australia and became an important part of the local basketball scene.
He is also known as the father of Australian basketball player Dante Exum.