The Dallas Mavericks saw the return of P.J. Washington on Sunday. Washington led the team in points, scoring 29 points and shooting 64.7 percent from the field. He also had a double-double with 12 rebounds, as he was deeply missed as he dealt with an ankle sprain over the last few weeks.
Washington's presence was not enough, though, as the Mavs fell to the Philadelphia 76ers 130-125. Washington made a crucial layup with 14 seconds to bring Dallas within a point. The 76ers would make their next four free throws, as the Mavs' comeback fell short. This now marks the team's 10th loss in their past 12 games.
Furthermore, more bad news could be headed the Mavericks' way. The team played with eight players against the 76ers, and each player saw valuable minutes. Everyone, excluding Dwight Powell, played above 27 minutes. Assuming the Mavs continue to play with eight players, this could cause a tricky situation for the team. Players Brandon Williams and Kessler Edwards have limited games of eligibility left, and this could put the team in a tight bind. Things aren't looking too good for Dallas.
Dante Exum's hand injury puts Dallas in difficult position
One reason for the Mavs' roster dilemma is the recent injury to Dante Exum. Exum injured himself early in the second quarter on Friday when he went down with a left hand injury against the Houston Rockets. It was later announced that Exum suffered a broken bone in his left hand and would likely be out for the remainder of the season. This would be a tough blow to the Mavs, as Exum started in 12 of the 18 games he played in this season.
Exum missed the first three and a half months of the season, as he recovered from right wrist surgery. He injured himself during training camp after a nasty fall. Exum made his awaited return on January 31st. He became a critical part of the team's starting rotation as injuries began to pile up. Exum became a valuable option since his return, as he averaged 9.1 points per game and shot 44.7 percent from the 3-point line.
However, his value may have diminished with his second injury this season. Exum is expected to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. General Manager Nico Harrison will have another tough decision: does he bring back Exum, or does the team cut ties?
Exum signed a two-year $6,150,000 contract with the Mavericks back in 2023. He became an instant fan favorite last season when he played a key role in helping the team advance to the NBA Finals. He is a great ball handler who isn't afraid to drive to the basket. Defensively, he can guard the perimeter from multiple angles and isn't afraid to make things difficult for the opposition.
Exum's skill set is unmatched. He is a valuable role player who can play both sides of the ball. It's clear why Harrison should bring him back. The Mavs will start the season without Kyrie Irving and need a backup point guard to keep the team afloat. Of course, this is assuming Irving doesn't opt out. Over the past two weeks, Exum has shown that he is more than capable of handling the Mavs' offense.
So what's the problem?
Reliability. The Mavs will need someone they can trust to stay healthy. Exum's injury history could be a deciding factor. Last season, he played in 55 games and missed various games due to injuries ranging from his foot to his leg and heel.
On the other hand, the only point guards left on the Mavs' roster include Spencer Dinwiddie and Brandon Williams. Dinwiddie is set to become a free agent this offseason, while Williams has five games remaining of his eligibility. Dallas will probably bring one of the two guards back. Williams has made a strong case to laud an NBA contract. Dallas may move on from Dinwddie.
This could be good news for Exum, as the team will need all the guard support. It'll be up to Exum to bounce back nicely if he hopes to win Dallas again. Harrison will probably move on, but you can never say never. Exum's assets can not go unmatched or unrecognized.
The Mavs will have a tough decision to make this offseason. Honestly, there is no clear right answer. Bringing back Exum may not be ideal, as the team may be limited on players to start next season. So, Nico Harrison, the ball is in your court.
