Dennis Smith Jr. has reportedly signed his one-year deal to rejoin the Dallas Mavericks, making his return to Dallas official. This represents a huge return for the 27-year-old guard. This reunion comes after Smith spent the 2024-25 season with Real Madrid in the Euroleague, showcasing his skills overseas. The Mavericks, who originally selected him as the No. 9 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, welcome back a player who had a promising start during his initial tenure with the team.
Smith’s first season with the Mavericks was nothing short of stellar. He averaged a career-high 15.2 points and made the 2017-18 All-Rookie Team. He appeared with Dallas for a season-and-a-half. In January of 2019, he was traded to the New York Knicks as part of the deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas. Since then, he has played for three different teams: the Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, and Brooklyn Nets over the past three seasons.
During the 2023-24 season, Smith had a chance to put his elite defense on display. He finished second in steals per 36 minutes among all NBA players that logged at least 1,000 minutes. This stat sheds light on his propensity to take over the game defensively to go along with his scoring and playmaking prowess. In seven seasons in the NBA, he’s appeared in 326 games. He’s only averaged 9.7 points, 4.2 assists and 3 rebounds per game.
Smith’s return to the Mavericks provides the perfect opportunity for him to get his NBA career back on track. It provides the team a chance to shore up their lineup with a veteran presence who’s familiar with their system. His agent, Daniel Hazan of Hazan Sports Management, verified the deal. Smith will be looking to earn an opportunity in training camp in Dallas.
Now, Smith is preparing to make his second return with the Mavericks. Fans and analysts alike are waiting to see how he will fit in with the rest of the roster and what kind of impact he will have this upcoming season. With a history of strong performances early in his career and recent success overseas, Smith aims to reclaim his place as a valuable asset to the team.
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