4 Dallas Mavericks players who need more minutes, 3 who need less over final stretch

2. Needs less minutes: Dante Exum

Dallas Mavericks veteran guard Dante Exum returned to the lineup last night against the Toronto Raptors, and having him healthy for the final stretch of the season will be crucial for this team.

This season for Dallas, Exum is averaging 9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.6 steals per game while shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 47.7 percent from 3-point range. He has had a massive bounce-back season for the Mavs and has become a key piece of the rotation.

If Exum can stay healthy, he will be a big part of what Dallas does down the stretch. Dallas lacks a backup point guard, and that's exactly what Exum can be if he remains on the floor. If not, his time in Dallas could be in jeopardy.

Injuries have plagued Exum's career, and that's why he needs to be playing fewer minutes for the rest of the season. There was a stretch where Exum was playing over 30 minutes every night, and Dallas can't do that again if they want to keep him healthy. They will likely keep his minutes under 20 to begin, and they should keep his minutes down to avoid injury.

Exum needs to be healthy for the entire playoff push, and keeping his minutes down will help him do that.