Mavericks' key X-factor suffers alarmingly serious training camp injury

The 2024-25 NBA preseason is exactly two days away from tipping off for the Dallas Mavericks. They will open their preseason on Monday against the Memphis Grizzlies, but the real action begins on October 24 against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Earlier this week, the Mavericks tipped off training camp and fans are buzzing ahead of the preseason game against Memphis.

Unfortunately for fans in attendance, they won't be able to see the Mavericks at full strength as superstar Luka Doncic suffered a calf contusion right before training camp began. Doncic is guaranteed to miss Monday's preseason opener but it's unclear if the Slovenian star will need to miss any additional time.

Dante Exum suffers serious wrist injury at beginning of training camp

With injuries on the rise as training camp ramps up, Mavericks guard Dante Exum suffered a wrist injury that could require surgery according to NBA insider Shams Charania. It's unknown how Exum sustained the injury but the Australian guard suffered a finger injury at the beginning of Olympic play, which has limited his availability some this summer.

Exum played a huge role in Dallas' regular season success last season and would have likely played another intricate role for Dallas with his defensive capabilities.

However, with the introduction of guard Quentin Grimes into the lineup, Exum's role became more of a question mark than a guarantee. In addition, Exum was played out Dallas' playoff rotation during the Mavericks' first-round matchup against the LA Clippers, which only made Exum's role for this season more clouded.

Exum would have likely been one of Dallas' primary point-of-attack defenders off the bench. This not only hurts the Mavericks' depth headed into the regular season, but it also creates a huge question mark surrounding the team's rotation.

While this injury is untimely, it could open the door for one of the other Maverick guards to make a name for themselves. Both Jaden Hardy and Spencer Dinwiddie will be competing for rotational minutes and this injury could only make the two guards more hungry.

It's uncertain how much time Exum will be sidelined but this injury will affect his future in Dallas. Exum is entering his final guaranteed season as a Maverick and before last year's postseason, Exum was in line for a much-earned new contract after this season if he performed well.

Not only will this injury affect Exum's time in Dallas but it could also change his stay in the NBA.

For more updates on Dante Exum and the Dallas Mavericks, stay plugged in as we will have you covered.