The Dallas Mavericks are bringing back a familiar face. Dennis Smith Jr., the team’s 2017 lottery pick, has agreed to a one-year deal to return to Dallas, per his agent Daniel Hazan.
Dennis Smith Jr., now 26, was selected No. 9 overall by the Mavericks in the 2017 NBA Draft and immediately became one of the team’s most exciting young players. His rookie season saw him average 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds, showcasing the explosive athleticism that made him a standout prospect.
But when Luka Dončić entered the picture in 2018, Dallas shifted its direction. Smith was part of the Kristaps Porziņģis trade to the New York Knicks in early 2019, ending his first stint with the franchise after just a season and a half.
Since then, Dennis Smith Jr. has bounced around the league with stints in New York, Detroit, Portland, Brooklyn, and most recently, Charlotte. His career averages stand at 8.3 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.9 rebounds, but he has reinvented himself as a defensive-minded guard who can disrupt opponents on the perimeter and provide energy off the bench.
For the Mavericks, this is a low-risk, high-upside reunion. Smith will compete in training camp for a role in a backcourt led by Dončić and Kyrie Irving. His athleticism, defensive versatility, and familiarity with Dallas could give him the edge to earn minutes as a spark plug off the bench.
The bigger picture? Bringing back Smith also sends a message about the Mavericks’ culture. It’s a nod to a player they once invested in, who now has the chance to write a second chapter with the franchise that drafted him.
