Coming off an sudden journey to the NBA Finals that resulted in a loss to the Boston Celtics, the Dallas Mavericks wish to take the subsequent step and produce dwelling their second Larry O’Brien Trophy this season.
They are going to begin their preseason schedule on Monday once they face the Memphis Grizzlies, a group that’s trying to bounce again from an injury-riddled 2023-24 season.
However the Mavericks have suffered a large blow earlier than that first recreation, as guard Dante Exum injured his proper wrist and should must have surgical procedure consequently, per Shams Charania.
Dallas Mavericks G Dante Exum has sustained a critical proper wrist harm that might require surgical procedure, sources inform @TheAthletic. Remedy choices are being evaluated for Exum, who emerged as a key reserve guard on Mavs NBA Finals run final season. Robust early season blow for Mavs. pic.twitter.com/NZXqc0UET8
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 4, 2024
Exum, 29, had spent the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons enjoying in Spain and Serbia, respectively, however final season, he turned a key a part of the Mavs’ rotation.
He averaged 7.8 factors and a couple of.9 assists in 19.8 minutes a recreation, and he shot a exceptional 49.1 % from 3-point vary.
Dallas has arguably one of the best beginning backcourt within the NBA with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic manning each guard spots, and new arrival Klay Thompson is predicted to start out on the 3.
Aside from that, nonetheless, they aren’t the deepest or most loaded group round.
They are going to want extra scoring from frontcourt gamers corresponding to P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Full of life II if they’re to return to the Finals, not to mention end the job this time.
When it comes to their guard depth, they introduced again Spencer Dinwiddie, who had among the finest stretches of his profession with the Mavs a few years in the past.
He ought to have the ability to a minimum of partly plug the opening created by Exum’s harm.
