Mavericks sign Dennis Smith Jr. to a one-year non-guaranteed deal

The Dallas Mavericks have agreed to a one-year contract with guard Dennis Smith Jr., his agent Daniel Hazan confirmed, bringing the 27-year-old back to the franchise that selected him ninth overall in the 2017 draft. Smith will report to training camp and compete for a spot on a roster that already lists 15 players on standard contracts, creating an immediate competition for the final spot.

Terms of the deal beyond its one-year length were not disclosed, and multiple reports indicate the contract is likely non-guaranteed or only partially guaranteed, meaning Smith must earn his place in camp. That battle is expected to feature Brandon Williams, whose deal carries only limited guarantees through opening night, and could also prompt further roster moves if the Mavericks choose to clear space. Team officials previously considered trading Jaden Hardy to open a spot before they waived and stretched Olivier-Maxence Prosper and re-signed Dante Exum.

Smith returns to Dallas after a peripatetic career. He burst onto the scene as a rookie, averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 assists and earning All-Rookie Team honors in 2017-18, but was traded to the New York Knicks in January 2019. Since then...