NBA Speculation: Dante Exum Leaning Toward Continuing His Career with Dallas Mavericks in the League
Gist:
The future of Dante Exum with the Dallas Mavericks appears set, with both the player and the team interested in negotiating a new contract, despite interest from Turkish team Fenerbahce. Exum, who made a solid impression as a role player for the Mavs when healthy, is considering a return due to Kyrie Irving's expected recovery from ACL surgery taking most of the fall.
However, with the Mavericks' current roster packed, they might need to make a trade to create space for Exum's potential return. Injuries have been a challenge for Exum throughout his career, but when healthy, he showed promising statistics, such as averaging 8.7 points and 43.4% from three-point range during the 2024-25 season.
Details:
As Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports, the Mavs have a mutual interest with Exum in working out a new deal after he spent the past two years in Dallas. Exum is coming off a season where he earned $3.15 million and is set to be the only other guard under contract besides Jaden Hardy and Brandon Williams next season, as both Spencer Dinwiddie and Exum are free agents.
Exum's injury history has been a concern, but he has shown potential when healthy. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 8.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 19.5 minutes per game. In 20 games (13 starts) this season, he boosted those numbers to 8.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 18.6 minutes per contest while shooting a strong 47.8% from the floor and 43.4% from three-point range.
With Kyrie Irving's recovery timeline potentially keeping him out until January, Exum's role with the Mavericks could become more significant, especially as a potential spot starter or playmaker off the bench. Nevertheless, the Mavericks' current roster stands at 10 players signed to guaranteed contracts for the 2024-25 season, and they will also need to account for Dwight Powell's player option and the addition of Cooper Flagg as the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Although there are challenges and uncertainties, the mutual interest between Exum and the Mavericks could signal a path for him to continue his NBA career with Dallas.
(Enrichment Data:The latest on Dante Exum's future with the Dallas Mavericks for the 2025-26 NBA season is that there is mutual interest between Exum and the Mavericks to work out a new deal. Despite Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul from the EuroLeague showing interest in signing him, Exum reportedly prefers to remain in the NBA, which aligns with his desire to stay with the Mavericks if a deal can be reached.[1][2][3][4]
Exum's ability to play a significant role in the team is enhanced by Kyrie Irving's anticipated absence due to injury, potentially until January. This situation could elevate Exum's role in the Mavericks' rotation, especially as a spot starter or playmaker off the bench.[1][2]
However, Exum's career has been marked by injuries, and he only played in 20 games last season due to a wrist injury and a fractured hand. Despite this, he demonstrated strong performance when healthy, averaging a career-high 8.7 points per game and shooting 43.4% from three-point range.[5]
Overall, while there are challenges and uncertainties, the mutual interest between Exum and the Mavericks suggests a potential path for him to continue his NBA career with Dallas.)
- Dante Exum's future with the Dallas Mavericks seems promising, as both parties are interested in negotiating a new contract, possibly keeping him in the NBA instead of joining Turkish team Fenerbahce.
- During the 2024-25 season, Exum, when healthy, demonstrated impressive statistics like averaging 8.7 points and 43.4% from three-point range as a role player for the Mavs.
- With Kyrie Irving's recovery expected to take most of the fall, Exum's role with the Mavericks could become more significant, potentially as a spot starter or playmaker off the bench in the NBA sports season.
