Mavericks' next move is a no-brainer following major training camp cuts

As the Dallas Mavericks are just days away from the beginning of the 2025-26 NBA season, the reality that Dallas would need to condense their roster down to 15 standard slots and three two-way contract slots has been something that is setting in. The Mavericks took a major step in this direction on Friday, as they waived Dalano Banton, Dennis Smith Jr., and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.

While nothing's confirmed, it seems like the Mavericks will likely bring back Moussa Cisse with their final two-way slot, though they could look elsewhere to fill that slot as well. It would've taken an astronomical effort for any of the aforementioned players who were cut to finagle a standard roster spot with the Mavericks, as they would've had to oust Brandon Williams for a spot on the roster, but the Mavericks should still definitely consider keeping these guys around in Frisco.

The Mavericks have the G League rights for all three players already, barring Smith Jr.'s, as they are in the process of acquiring his rights from the Wisconsin Herd. All three of these players had limited on-court opportunities during preseason, so it's only right that the Mavericks give them a chance to revitalize their NBA careers on the Texas Legends if they can't find an NBA home elsewhere.

Mavericks should bring back cut players on Texas Legends

In Banton's case, he didn't even get officially signed by Dallas until half of the preseason was over, and he only barely played toward the end of Dallas' last preseason game versus the Los Angeles Lakers. Being a bigger guard, he'd be great to keep in Dallas' farm system if injuries flare up for the Mavericks at all this season or they make some sort of trade that opens up a roster spot, as he definitely has NBA talent if he can start to be more efficient from outside.

The same can be said for Robinson-Earl, who's still only 24 years old, as Robinson-Earl is extremely versatile for being 6-foot-9, and while the Mavericks have a crowded frontcourt, Robinson-Earl is undeniably talented enough for Dallas to keep around in Frisco, and he may not be totally done developing, given his age.

Smith Jr. probably has the shortest case out of any of the three players for Dallas to keep around on the Legends, especially given how underwhelming he was in limited preseason minutes, but he's a fan-favorite and is the most likely candidate to stay in Frisco, so while it's very hard to see him being someone who Dallas would sign to their main roster at any point this season, the Mavericks owe him an opportunity after abruptly trading him in the Kristaps Porzingis deal back in 2019.

Overall, none of these players have a great shot at being on Dallas' main roster at any point this season, but with as much of a surplus of talent that is starting to beckon in the NBA, G League development and scouting has never been more important than it is in today's day in age, and Dallas could give their farm team a needed boost of talent to start the season if these three guys stay in Frisco.