Harsh Mavericks reality could kick fan-favorite sharpshooter to the curb

After the 2020-21 season in which he played for the Utah Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers, Dante Exum didn't play in the NBA for two seasons. Exum returned to the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks before the 2023-24 season and made his presence felt more than ever before.

In 2024, Exum became a reliable player off the bench and was an occasional starter at the point guard position for Dallas. Despite his production falling off in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Exum was a crucial part of the rotation the year Dallas made the NBA Finals, and his season was filled with big shots and reliable ball handling.

In 2024-25, Exum had a better season in Dallas despite playing fewer games than he did in 2023-24. He battled injuries all season, but when he was on the floor, he was productive. However, the 29-year-old fan-favorite guard may not be able to return to Dallas due to an uncontrollable reality.

Mavericks' full roster puts Dante Exum's return in doubt

The Cooper Flagg excitement is radiating through Dallas, but it can impact Exum's chances to return to the Mavericks. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, despite the mutual interest between Exum and the Mavericks to reunite in free agency, Dallas may not have room on the roster to make it happen.

The Mavericks are heavy on their roster with frontcourt players after drafting Flagg. Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and Dwight Powell show the Mavericks are taken care of at center.

Then, the focus shifts to the guards. Even though Klay Thompson can play small forward at times, shooting guard is where he thrives. However, more guards on the Mavericks roster are an issue when trying to keep Exum.

Kyrie Irving, Max Christie, Jaden Hardy, and Brandon Williams might have the roster too deep with guards, and that is where Exum's chances to return can be low. There's one player on the roster who might need to go to help Exum stay in Dallas.

The Mavericks could explore dumping Olivier-Maxence Prosper to create a roster spot to bring back Exum, but if that doesn't happen, then fans may have to say goodbye to the veteran 3-point sniper before they want to do so.

Despite playing in 20 games in the 2024-25 season, with 13 of his games being starts, Exum was solid. Exum averaged 8.7 points per game, which set a career-high for points in a single season.

Exum was also a solid 3-point shooter as he shot over 43 percent from three. Even with Thompson and Irving on the roster, Dallas is definitely going to need more shooting, and that is why they should push hard to keep him. Exum is dangerous off the catch, and he is quietly one of the most reliable shooters on the team.

As much as Maverick fans enjoy Exum, Dallas' roster might be too loaded for Exum to fit in. After likely signing D'Angelo Russell later today, the Mavs' roster will be full, as 15 players would be signed to standard deals. The only thing that can save them is some sort of trade to free up a roster spot.