The Mavericks have waived three veterans as final roster takes shape
Dallas has cut ties with Dalano Banton, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and Dennis Smith Jr., the team announced Friday. All three players had been competing for roster spots on non-guaranteed training camp deals.
Banton might still have a future with the organization, though. His contract included special language that makes him eligible for an $85,300 bonus if he joins the Texas Legends (the Mavs’ G League team) and stays there for at least 60 days.
Robinson-Earl and Smith were on simpler contracts that protected the team against potential preseason injuries.
Young veterans couldn’t crack the rotation
Banton, 25, has bounced around the league since being drafted 46th overall in 2021. He’s played for the Raptors, Celtics, and Trail Blazers over four seasons.
Last year was actually his busiest in the NBA. He appeared in 67 games and averaged 8.3 points in about 17 minutes per night.
His shooting was a bit of a problem, though. Banton hit just 39% from the field and 32% from three-point range.
Robinson-Earl, also from the 2021 draft class, got the most preseason action among the three cuts. The 6-foot-9 big man played in all four exhibition games for Dallas, averaging 7.3 points and 4 rebounds in limited minutes.
The 24-year-old spent last season with the Pelicans, where he put up 6.3 points and 4.8 rebounds across 66 games.
For Smith, this marks another chapter in his complicated history with Dallas. The Mavs originally drafted him ninth overall in 2017 but traded him to the Knicks during his sophomore season as part of the deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas.
The athletic guard didn’t play in the NBA at all last season after his contract with Brooklyn expired.
Roster picture becoming clearer
These cuts suggest that guards Dante Exum and Brandon Williams have likely secured spots on the final roster heading into the regular season.
Exum’s situation is particularly interesting. The Mavs made a significant move in August when they waived-and-stretched former first-round pick Olivier-Maxence Prosper specifically to create room for Exum and stay under the second salary cap apron.
That decision spreads Prosper’s salary over three years, costing Dallas about $1 million annually instead of all at once.
The problem? Exum has been dealing with a right knee injury throughout training camp and preseason. He might miss significant time, but his minimum salary is fully guaranteed.
Williams, meanwhile, has $200,000 guaranteed for this season after the team converted his two-way contract to a standard deal last spring.
The Mavericks now have 18 players under contract as they prepare for their season opener.
Dallas tips off the 2025-26 campaign at home against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on October 22.
