3 non-guaranteed/two-way players who could crack the Mavericks’ rotation

2. Dexter Dennis

Dexter Dennis has been the most surprising name coming out of the Dallas Mavericks preseason and training camp so far. Along with Joe Wieskamp and Greg Brown III, he was the only other Maverick out of the developmental players on the roster who wasn’t with the team for the NBA Summer League this past July in Las Vegas.

Dennis played with the Orlando Magic's Summer League team and impressed enough to earn an Exhibit-10 contract with Dallas ahead of training camp. Dennis is a 3-and-D type player with great measurements across the board. He's 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan and has a very stout 210-pound frame.

Dennis showed his ability as a one-on-one defender in the Mavericks' first two preseason games, but the biggest question ahead of his NBA career was if his shot was going to improve above being league average.

Dennis' shot mechanics have looked really good in Dallas so far. Even when he misses a 3-pointer in-game, they aren't bad misses or bad shots that he's taking. His athleticism and his frame is undeniable, as they give him the ability to expand upon his offensive repertoire if he can consistently attack closeouts and finish to the degree that he does in the clip below.

Dennis won AAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 during his final season at Wichita State before transferring to Texas A&M for his final season of post-graduate eligibility last season. He has the potential to be a menace at the point of attack on defense and will be able to hawk down those who underestimate him in transition and as a help defender as well.

Dennis still will need to prove his offensive game is consistent enough to become a rotation player next year in Dallas, but our next candidate has the best chance to crack Dallas' rotation this year.