Guard Dennis Smith Jr. is heading back to where his NBA career began. According to Shams Charania, Smith has signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks, reuniting with the franchise that selected him No. 9 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Smith, 27, last played in the league during the 2023–24 season with the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 6.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals across 56 games. He later had a brief stint with the Wisconsin Herd of the G League before signing with Real Madrid in January 2025, though he parted ways with the Spanish club just one month later.
Over his NBA career, Smith has appeared in 326 games with six different teams, posting averages of 9.7 points and 4.2 assists. His most productive stretch came in 2020–21 with the Minnesota Timberwolves, when he scored 19.6 points per game.
The veteran guard also spent parts of three seasons with the New York Knicks between 2019 and 2021, but his role and production diminished during that time. Earlier this summer, Smith was reported to have worked out for New York as the team continued to evaluate depth options at the guard position.
Now, Smith returns to Dallas to compete for a roster spot during training camp. The Mavericks’ backcourt features Kyrie Irving, D’Angelo Russell, and Jaden Hardy, with Smith adding experience and defensive intensity to the mix.
Dallas is entering the 2025–26 season with a revamped roster. The team used the No. 1 overall pick in June to draft Duke forward Cooper Flagg, while also having veterans Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, and Caleb Martin in its rotation.
