The Dallas Mavericks have announced that guard Dante Exum will undergo knee surgery that will keep him out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
The Mavericksannounced the surgery on Thursday, stating on social media that Exum “continued to deal with complications from a right knee procedure in the offseason.”
Notably, the franchise did not disclose the surgery that took place in the offseason, with the Mavericks now stating that “it has been determined that a follow-up surgery will be necessary.”
Dallas did not provide an exact timeline for when Exum will be able to return to the court, though it is now expected he will be out for the remainder of the season.
As previouslyreported byThe Dallas Express, Exum was re-signed by the Mavericks on a one-year contract worth $3.3 million during the offseason, with the expectation that the guard would play a vital role for the team during the season.
Exum has been with the Mavericks for the past two seasons of his career, averaging 8.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists across 75 appearances with the franchise.
However, Exum will finish the year without playing a single game, and Dallas will have to evaluate options for another ballhandler.
Despite needing another ballhandler, the Mavericks will be unable to sign a free agent until January 6, as the team is currently hard-capped at the 2nd apron andunable to sign a player who would push them further over the limit, according to NBA Insider Bobby Marks.
Additionally, Dallas would have to waive Exum to sign a free agent, as the team is currently at the maximum roster limit.
This news also comes as the Mavericks have struggled to collect wins during the early portion of the season, leading many to believe the team will look into trading away key veterans in favor of a rebuild.
Rival executives have already indicated that the Mavericks are expected to test the trade market on multiple players, including Klay Thompson, D’Angelo Russell, Daniel Gafford, and Anthony Davis, asreported byDX.
These players are expected to attract significant interest from opposing teams on the trade market, as each offers a skill set that championship contenders could value.
Looking ahead, Dallas has little control over itsdraft capital in the coming years and should look to retool the roster by completing trades in exchange for future draft selections and young players.