Mavericks’ tricky Kyrie Irving problem finally lands no-brainer answer

The Dallas Mavericks may have found a solution for their guard position while Kyrie Irving recovers from ACL surgery. Since Irving is still months away from returning, the Mavericks officially signed Dante Exum, waiving Olivier-Maxence Prosper in the process. This move could provide a simple answer to one of the team's biggest question marks.

Exum isn't a household name like Irving, but Mavericks fans know the impact he can have. During his first stint with Dallas, he became a defensive stopper and a secondary playmaker, offering stability in the backcourt. His size, ability to switch across multiple positions, and unselfish playstyle helped balance the Mavericks' rotations, especially with younger or more scoring-focused guards. This past success makes his return particularly valuable.

With Irving sidelined, Exum's defensive versatility becomes crucial. At 6-foot-5, he can match up against either guard position, giving Jason Kidd flexibility in lineup construction. Surrounded by athletic forwards like Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington, Exum can thrive in Kidd’s switching system, applying pressure on the ball and benefiting from shot-blockers like Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, or Dereck Lively II behind him. This combination allows Dallas to turn defense into offense, which the team has heavily focused on this offseason.

Dante Exum will help Mavericks weather Irving-less storm

The offensive side also makes sense with D’Angelo Russell in the mix. Exum isn’t expected to fill Irving’s scoring gap, but Russell provides Dallas with a reliable shot creator and floor spacer who can take on that role. Exum's ability to play off the ball, push the pace, and make quick decisions makes him a good backcourt partner for Russell, whose best moments often come when he can avoid dominating possessions. Together, they offer Kidd a mix of scoring and stability that should keep the Mavericks afloat until Irving returns.

Beyond Russell, some pairings can enhance Exum’s value.

For instance, playing alongside Jaden Hardy or Brandon Williams gives Dallas a balanced backcourt with a steady facilitator and an aggressive scorer. Exum's calm, defensive-first approach covers for the youngsters' occasional mistakes, while their shot creation allows Exum to avoid carrying the offensive load. These flexible combinations provide Dallas with depth in a position that would otherwise seem shaky without Irving.

When Irving returns, Exum’s role will shift but not disappear. He will become a valuable piece off the bench, able to defend the toughest backcourt opponents while allowing Irving and Russell to conserve energy for offense. In crucial moments, Kidd could use Exum alongside Irving, Russell, and two versatile forwards, relying on Exum to bring balance and stability to lineups focused on scoring.

The strength of this move lies in its simplicity.

The Mavericks didn’t need to overcomplicate the challenge of managing without Kyrie; they just needed a player who has already shown he can succeed in their system. Exum may not be flashy, but he is dependable. In a league where continuity and fit are as important as pure talent, that reliability could be key to maintaining their position in the standings.

Dallas is counting on Exum’s second stint to mirror his first: tough defense, smart playmaking, and the kind of steady contributions that make a team function well. If he delivers again, the Mavericks may have addressed one of their major early-season concerns with the simplest solution available.