Dennis Smith Jr. was the ninth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks.
He spent the first one and a half seasons of his pro career in Dallas. Over the offseason, Smith Jr. rejoined the Mavs. However, he has now been waived.
Mavericks Fans Upset Over Dennis Smith Jr. News
The Mavs PR team released the following short statement: “The Dallas Mavericks announced today they have waived guard/forward Dalano Banton, forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and guard Dennis Smith Jr.”
Maverick fans immediately reacted to the news.
@LuisAMFFL: “WAVE EXUM!!!!! Not DSJ 😠didn’t even give him a chance!!!”
@KingMarcusXXV: “Man I was so happy to have DSJ back #MFFL”
@dallas_native: “NICO WTFFFF”
@MavsMarauder: “Noooooo! It was a good run DSJ 🫡”
@ntxclaire: “it was inevitable, but the idea of dsj being back on the team was fun while it lasted.”
@greggorox: “Dennis Smith Jr., we hardly knew you the second time around.”
@MavsFilmRoom: “RIP Dennis Smith Jr.’s 2nd Mavs stint: September 2025-October 2025”
Smith Jr. has also spent time playing for the New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets.
His career averages are 9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per contest while shooting 40.7% from the field and 29.8% from the three-point range in 326 games.
Via Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News: “Training camp roster reduced from 22 to 19. The Mavs is in the process of acquiring Dennis Smith Jr.’s G-League rights, so if the Dallas fan favorite doesn’t latch on with an NBA team, don’t be surprised to see him start the season as a Texas Legend.”
The Mavs will play their first game of the new season on October 22 when they host Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in Dallas.
After reaching the 2024 NBA Finals, the Mavs missed the 2025 NBA playoffs (they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament).
“This trims the roster for now to 18. 15 players on standard contracts…2 on two-ways (Ryan Nembhard & Miles Kelly) and we’ll see what happens w/ Moussa Cisse. The players waived I’d expect to see on the Legends (however DSJ’s G-League rights are currently held by Wisconsin Herd)” wrote Mark Followill.
Smith Jr. still has a lot of fans, so his future will be something to follow closely over the next few weeks.
He could be a candidate for a 10-day contract if he plays well in the G League.
