ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the Mavericks have signed Dennis Smith Jr. to a one-year deal.

Smith, the ninth overall pick in the 2017 draft, returns to the city where he began his NBA career. The athletic point guard last played in the NBA during the 2023-24 season, appearing in 56 games for the Nets. Last season, Smith played for Real Madrid. He is going into training camp hoping to earn a standard contract, potentially offering additional depth while the Mavericks await Kyrie Irving’s return from a torn ACL. Brandon Williams is on a partially guaranteed deal and may have the most to worry about regarding his chances of making the opening night roster.