Dante Exum’s season has come to an early end after the Mavericks confirmed he underwent successful surgery that will sideline him for the remainder of the year, via HoopsRumors.com.
Dallas announced that ongoing complications from a right knee procedure performed during the offseason made a follow-up operation necessary.
Exum never appeared in a game this fall, and the decision officially closes the door on his 2025/26 campaign before it began.
The setback is the latest chapter in an injury-filled career for Exum.
After playing all 82 games as a rookie, he missed the entire 2015/16 season with a torn ACL and has since dealt with a series of shoulder, ankle, knee, wrist, and hand injuries.
Although he revived his career with strong play in Europe from 2021 to 2023 and became an efficient role player in Dallas, availability has remained a major issue.
Since the start of the 2023/24 season, he has appeared in only 75 games.
The situation has also raised questions about the Mavericks’ recent roster management.
Dallas did not publicly disclose Exum’s offseason knee surgery and had to use the stretch provision to waive Olivier-Maxence Prosper in order to fit Exum’s guaranteed minimum deal under the hard cap.
With limited financial flexibility, the Mavs now face challenges replacing Exum, as a potential disabled player exception would be too small to provide meaningful relief.
