Australia’s Dante Exum reacts during the men’s bronze medal basketball match between Slovenia and Australia of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on August 7, 2021. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP)
DALLAS— The Dallas Mavericks signed guard Dante Exum on Friday, bringing a top-five pick from the 2014 draft back to the NBA after a two-year stint overseas.
Exum joins a crowded backcourt led by the All-Star pairing of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who re-signed with the Mavericks on a $126 million, three-year contract.
The 28-year-old Exum will also be behind second-year pro Jaden Hardy, veteran Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Green, Exum’s teammate on the Australian national team.
Exum was the fifth overall pick by Utah nine years ago and played five-plus seasons before a trade to Cleveland. After eight years in the NBA, Exum spent two seasons overseas, first with FC Barcelona followed by Partizan NIL Belgrade.
Exum averaged 13.2 points in 38 games with Partizan, helping the club reach the EuroLeague playoffs. He shot 42% from 3-point range in the two seasons overseas.
In the NBA, Exum has averaged 5.7 points and 19 minutes in 245 games with the Jazz and Cavaliers. He played another 17 postseason games in Utah.
The addition of Exum comes after the re-signings of Irving and center Dwight Powell. The Mavericks also acquired Grant Williams from Boston and Richaun Holmes from Sacramento in separate trades.
The deal for Holmes also involved Olivier-Maxence Prosper, the 24th overall pick in this year’s draft. Dallas traded down two spots from No. 10, acquiring the rights to former Duke player Dereck Lively II.
The Mavericks have made significant changes to the supporting cast for Doncic and Irving after missing the playoffs just a season removed from reaching the Western Conference finals.