‘Dream Come True’: John Poulakidas, Tyler Smith Ready To Contribute For Shorthanded Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are 11 players deep on their injury report. John Poulakidas and Tyler Smith are ready.
The two newest Mavericks — both signed to two-way contracts Saturday — arrived in Charlotte for Tuesday’s shootaround ready to fill holes on a roster that has been battered by injuries all season. Cooper Flagg is doubtful. Klay Thompson is questionable. Naji Marshall, Marvin Bagley III, Kyrie Irving, and Dereck Lively II are all ruled out. Dallas needs shooters, versatile defenders, and players who can step in without much runway.
“Blessed,” Smith said of the opportunity. “Just to get another opportunity and being thankful for it.”
Poulakidas didn’t need much time to find the words either.
“For me, it’s been a dream come true,” he said. “I’m super grateful for this opportunity. Obviously, hard work is what got me here, and I’m just ready to continue working.”
John Poulakidas Gives Dallas Mavericks a Three-Point Weapon Off the Bench
Poulakidas, a 6-6 undrafted guard out of Yale, has shot 47.3% from three in 24 games with the G League’s San Diego Clippers this season — the seventh-best mark in the league among qualifiers.
“That’s what I take pride in — my jump shot on the offensive end,” Poulakidas said. “My ability to stretch the floor can create so much open space for guys like Coop, B-Will, Ryan — guys who are going to have the ball in their hands to run the show. I want to take my defender away so that’s one less defender they have to worry about. That’s what I’m here to do.”
The Naperville, Illinois, native was a four-year starter at Yale, leading the Ivy League in scoring as a senior at 19.2 points per game and earning First Team All-Ivy League and Ivy League Tournament MVP honors. He shot 40.2% from three over his college career.
Poulakidas arrived knowing several faces. He played alongside AJ Johnson at previous stops, grew up in the same west suburbs of Chicago as Max Christie, and crossed paths with Ryan Nembhard during pre-draft workouts last summer.
“I’ve known AJ — I played with him in three different locations already, so that was pretty cool,” Poulakidas said. “Max Christie is from the west suburbs of Chicago, which is also where I’m from, so I’ve known him and his brother for a few years now. And Ryan Nembhard — we had more than a few pre-draft workouts together this summer.”
As for Dallas itself, he is still getting his bearings.
“As far as Dallas, the city goes, I’ve never really been, so I’m not too familiar with it,” Poulakidas said. “I’m excited to get to know it.”
Tyler Smith’s Versatility Adds to Dallas Mavericks’ Roster
Smith brings a different skill set. The 6-9, 225-pound forward can guard multiple positions and spent his time with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers working to prove it.
“I’m a three-point shooter, a versatile defender,” Smith said. “That’s one thing I worked on in the G League with the RGV Vipers — showing that I can switch one through five. Just being versatile, helping on the boards, and doing what I can.”
Smith averaged 15.9 points on 50.9% shooting with 5.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 19 games for Rio Grande Valley this season. He was selected 33rd overall by Milwaukee in the 2024 draft — the same class as AJ Johnson — and appeared in 23 games as a rookie with the Bucks last season, part of a roster that won the NBA Cup, before returning to the G League this year.
He credits his time alongside Bobby Portis and Taurean Prince in Milwaukee for what he learned.
“We had an older team — those guys helped me a lot, especially in training camp,” Smith said. “I had a pretty good training camp. Just following those guys around and seeing what they do — it was good.”
Smith also had a read on the organization before he arrived.
“That’s a great organization,” Smith said. “I know [Jason Kidd]. There’s a lot of players that have played here that are coaching now, trying to develop guys and get them better.”
Jason Kidd Tells John Poulakidas and Tyler Smith to Be Ready
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd told both players to expect minutes as Dallas works through the final 22 games. Neither is expected to start, but on a roster this short, contributions off the bench could come quickly.
“He said we’re going to begin the games a little bit, especially toward the end of the season,” Smith said. “Just be ready and keep watching what’s going on in the games so that when we get in, we know what we’re doing.”
Poulakidas was measured about what comes next.
“It’s been very brief, but we know the deal,” he said. “We know what we’re here to do — just stay ready for whatever opportunities we get.”
Both acknowledged that the adjustment period is real regardless of familiar faces.
“It’s always nice to see familiar faces, but at the end of the day, the nature of this business is you’ve got to get acclimated quickly,” Smith said. “John and I are ready to do that. … This is my second chance — just show growth, show I got better, show what I know and what I’m doing now,” Smith said.
Dallas waived two-way guard Miles Kelly in the corresponding move. Kelly averaged 3.1 points in 14 games with the Mavericks this season.
Dallas and Charlotte tip off Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT at Spectrum Center.
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