Dante Exum weighs up NBA future

• Dante Exum is off-contract after signing in the 2023 Free Agency window
• Exum averaged a career-high 8.7 PPG while shooting 43.4% from three, dishing out 2.8 APG this season
• Exum's role increased after the Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers

Australian guard Dante Exum and the Dallas Mavericks have expressed mutual interest in negotiating a new contract, despite reported overtures from overseas clubs seeking the Victorian guard's services.

The 29-year-old Exum, who has rebuilt his NBA career in Dallas over the past two seasons, appears to have found a home with the Mavericks after earlier stints in Europe following his initial run in the NBA.

Since joining the Mavericks, Exum has carved out a valuable role as a versatile backcourt option. Over his two seasons in Dallas, he has appeared in 75 regular season games, averaging 8.0 points, 2.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per contest.

Perhaps most impressive has been his shooting efficiency. Exum has connected on 51.6 percent of his field goal attempts with the Mavericks, including a remarkable 47.2 percent from three-point range. This level of shooting represents a significant improvement from his earlier NBA years and demonstrates the work he put in during his time in Europe to refine his offensive game.

His combination of size (198 cm), defensive versatility, and improved shooting has made him a valuable rotation piece for Dallas coach Jason Kidd, who has utilised Exum in various lineup configurations.

The Mavericks hold Early Bird rights for Exum, which provides them with a significant advantage in contract negotiations. These rights allow Dallas to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him, offering up to 175 percent of his previous salary or 105 percent of the league average salary, whichever is greater.

With Exum's previous salary sitting at $3.15 million, the Early Bird provision could allow for a substantial pay increase that would better reflect his contributions to the team.

Despite the mutual interest between Exum and the Mavericks, European clubs continue to monitor his situation. Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe has reportedly shown interest in signing the Australian guard, potentially offering him a featured role and significant financial compensation

From Australian Prodigy to NBA Veteran

Standing at 196cm and weighing 97kg, Exum possesses the physical attributes that have allowed him to compete at the highest level of basketball. Born on July 13, 1995, the now 29-year-old guard entered the NBA with significant expectations when the Utah Jazz selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Exum's is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, where he honed his skills before making the leap to the NBA. His international pedigree includes representing Australia, where he helped secure a bronze medal for the Boomers.

He is an unrestricted free agent in 2025.

Breaking Down the 2024-25 Season

Analysing Exum's 20 games in the 2024-25 season provides insights into his role and effectiveness with the Mavericks. Throughout these appearances, Exum averaged about 18.6 minutes per game, splitting his time between starting (12 games) and coming off the bench (8 games).

His role increased when the Mavericks stunningly traded Luka Doncic for Los Angeles Lakers All-NBA First teamer Anthony Davis before the trade deadline in February 2025.

Scoring Efficiency

One of the most notable aspects of Exum's season was his shooting efficiency. Across 20 games, he made 64 of his 134 field goal attempts, posting a respectable 47.8% from the field. His three-point shooting was impressive, connecting on 23 of 53 attempts for a 43.4% success rate, well above the league average.

Exum's free throw shooting was solid, making 23 of 31 attempts (74.2%), though on relatively low volume (1.55 attempts per game).

The Standout Performance

Exum's finest moment of the season came on February 13, 2025, against the Miami Heat. Starting at shooting guard, he exploded for 27 points on exceptional 11-from-13  from the field, including 2-from-2 from three-point range and 3-of-3 from the free-throw line. In 24 minutes, he added three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block while committing just one turnover.

This performance showcased Exum's complete skill set and efficiency.

Playmaking Abilities

While primarily known as a two-way player, Exum demonstrated solid playmaking skills throughout the season, recording 56 assists (2.8 per game). Several games highlight his passing ability:

• On February 23 against the Warriors, he dished out five assists
• On February 6 against the Celtics, he recorded five assists alongside 15 points
• On March 3 against the Kings, he managed four assists despite struggling with his shot

This playmaking dimension adds value to Exum's on-court presence, particularly when his shooting isn't at its best.

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