Sources: Dennis Smith Jr. Among Players Set for Dallas Mavericks Veteran Mini-Camp

Grant AfsethJune 6, 2025June 6, 2025no comment

Brooklyn Nets

Dennis Smith Jr. is among the players scheduled to participate in the Dallas Mavericks’ annual minicamp in June, league sources confirmed to DallasHoopsJournal.com, as the team continues to evaluate options to address backcourt depth heading into the 2025-26 season.

Like most NBA teams, the Mavericks hold a veteran minicamp each offseason to bring in free agents and potential roster candidates for in-person evaluation. Smith will be part of this year’s group.

Smith, 27, recently participated in a similar minicamp with the Philadelphia 76ers and remains a free agent. He played in 56 games in 2023-24 with the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 6.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting a career-best 43.5% from the field.

Smith has appeared in 326 NBA games with 152 starts across eight seasons. He holds career averages of 9.7 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 40.7% from the field.

Dallas Mavericks Must Evaluate Backcourt Options

Dallas is expected to explore multiple options at point guard this offseason after Kyrie Irving suffered a torn ACL in his left knee in March. Irving is not expected to return until 2026, barring an unexpected improvement in the recovery process, which will leave a significant void at the lead guard position.

The Mavericks also leaned heavily on Spencer Dinwiddie and Danté Exum during the second half of the 2024-25 campaign, but both players are now free agents. The team is expected to prioritize adding a starting-caliber guard this offseason.

Smith, initially selected by the Mavericks with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, began his career in Dallas before being traded midway through his second season. He has since played for the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, and Brooklyn Nets, as well as briefly joining Real Madrid.

Dennis Smith Jr. Would Fit Defensive Focus

Known in recent years for his on-ball defense and ability to generate turnovers, Smith has evolved into a guard capable of guarding multiple positions and bringing defensive energy.

Dallas has increasingly prioritized defense as a core part of its roster-building strategy. General manager Nico Harrison has repeatedly stated that the franchise’s future is being shaped through a defensive lens, particularly following the trade of Luka Dončić and a broad roster overhaul.

“I keep saying this, but defense wins championships, and I think that this gives us the best opportunity to not only win, it gives us the deepest team and the most versatile team,” Harrison said earlier this year.

Dallas must also navigate limited salary cap flexibility while continuing contract negotiations with Irving and other rotation players. Signing a veteran such as Smith could offer a low-cost, defensive-minded option as the franchise aims to remain competitive in the Western Conference.

While Dinwiddie provided scoring and playmaking when either Dončić or Irving were unavailable last season, he finished the season with the most games played (79) despite being a DNP-CD to begin the season. Exum often helped push the pace, pressure the ball defensively, attack the paint, and space the floor with improved shooting, but lengthy injuries limited him to playing 20 games.

International basketball sources have informed DallasHoopsJournal.com that Exum has drawn interest from Fenerbahçe. While the Mavericks value Exum, his preference remains to stay in the NBA, not surprising given that he spent multiple seasons overseas to return to the league. Dallas’ first priority will be addressing their need for creation in the backcourt without Irving before determining how to round out additional depth.

The Mavericks are unable to negotiate new contracts with their own free agents until the day after the NBA Finals conclude.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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