Danté Exum has agreed to a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum to return to the Dallas Mavericks, league sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com. The Australian guard rejoins the team after a strong showing in limited action last season and will compete for a rotation spot in a now-deep Mavericks backcourt.
For a player like Exum, who has nine years of NBA service, the veteran’s minimum exception pays a player a $3.3 million salary, but on a one-year deal, it only counts as roughly $2.3 million on a team’s cap sheet.
The Mavericks now have 16 standard contracts on the roster, one above the in-season limit of 15 but within the allowable 21-player maximum for the offseason. No corresponding trade has occurred yet, but Dallas must clear one standard contract slot before the start of the regular season to make room for Exum.
Exum, 29, averaged 8.7 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 rebounds in 18.6 minutes per game across 20 appearances during the 2024–25 campaign. He was sidelined to begin the season due to a fractured right wrist, and late in the season, he was sidelined due to a fractured left hand. He provided efficient play on both ends of the court when available, often stabilizing second units and defending multiple perimeter positions.
He posted a strong 47.8% shooting mark from the field, including 43.4% from three-point range and 74.2% from the free-throw line. Exum’s size, athleticism, and basketball IQ gave Dallas valuable flexibility in both offensive and defensive schemes, especially in three-guard lineups.
The Mavericks’ decision to bring back Exum reinforces the front office’s desire to retain defensive-minded contributors while balancing the playmaking workload alongside Kyrie Irving and newly signed D’Angelo Russell, with Brandon Williams and Jaden Hardy in the mix barring an additional roster change.
Dallas has also shown interest in re-signing big man Kai Jones, but as DallasHoopsJournal.com previously reported, Exum was considered the higher priority. As roster rebalancing will be necessary, at least one name to monitor is Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who has what rival executives view as the most tradeable contract among the Mavericks’ expendable margin players.
For now, Exum returns to a team that understands how to maximize his value. The Mavericks will count on him to provide reliable depth, especially while Irving begins the season sidelined due to injury.
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