7 Mavericks players looking to make a name for themselves at training camp

1. Dante Exum

One of the Dallas Mavericks' most unexpected moves of the offseason was signing Dante Exum.

He had become forgotten in the NBA world after playing overseas for two seasons, and there weren't any reports linking him to Dallas. The Mavs ended up signing him to a two-year contract, and he could be leaned upon more than expected.

The Mavericks' trio of guards off the bench (Seth Curry, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Seth Curry) aren't the best defenders, and Exum will need to take the toughest guard defensive assignment when sharing the floor with one of the previously mentioned guards.

Standing at 6-foot-6 and having a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Exum has the size and frame to defend both guards and wings. He displayed his defense and facilitated beautifully at the FIBA World Cup, showing that he could lead the Mavericks' second unit and will be a great fit.

There is still plenty of question surrounding Exum's upcoming role for his first season back in the NBA since 2021, but a productive training camp could propel him into being Dallas' backup point guard. Hardy, Curry, and Hardaway Jr. aren't known for their playmaking, and if Dallas needs a playmaker off the bench, they could lean on Exum.

Each of these players has plenty to prove as training camp begins in just a few days, and a productive training camp could result in some of these players turning into everyday starters.

We'll have you covered with all the latest from Mavericks training camp, so stay tuned.