The Mavericks spent Tuesday shuffling the back end of their preseason roster, cycling through several names at the 21st spot before landing on a bigger body.
Dallas first waived Matt Cross, then used that opening to sign guard Darin Green Jr. Green didn’t last long either. The Mavericks then moved on from him to add forward Chris Mantis, and after that, Mantis was waived so the team could sign Jorge Diaz Graham.
The newest addition appears to have a bit more staying power than the others. Dallas announced Diaz Graham’s jersey number - No. 23 - which suggests he’ll stick around at least for now rather than being cut right away. The 6-foot-10 forward/center had already been taken by the Texas Legends with the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBAGL international draft, so the Mavericks’ G League affiliate had his rights in place.
Diaz Graham also spent time with Dallas in July during Summer League after finishing his college run at Oregon State. Across five games in Las Vegas, he put up 7.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per night.
Green, Mantis and Diaz Graham are all believed to be on non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contracts, which would make them eligible for bonuses of up to $91K if they’re waived and then spend at least 60 days with the Legends this season. Green was in Israel last season with Hapoel Holon, while Mantis played rotation minutes for the Capital City Go-Go. The Legends had already picked up both players’ returning rights in separate trades.
Elsewhere around the league, the Clippers brought Fletcher Loyer back on a new Exhibit 10 deal after waiving Yuki Kawamura on Monday. Loyer, a former Purdue guard, had been with L.A. for the first week of training camp before getting cut last Tuesday. His prior contract also came with a full $91K bonus, so the Clippers may be giving him another look with their open two-way spot in mind.
The Jazz also made a move, waiving big man Mohamed Wague. Utah signed the undrafted rookie forward/center to an Exhibit 10 contract last week, and he’ll receive a $5K bonus if he spends at least 60 days with the Salt Lake City Stars in the G League this season. With Wague gone, the Jazz now have one open spot on their 21-man preseason roster.
In Other News...
Mavericks Gave This Stretch Big A Real Chance To Earn More
The Mavericks gave Jorge Diaz Graham a real look this preseason, signing the stretch big and assigning him jersey No. 23 after he spent summer with the team. He had already shown enough in Las Vegas to keep himself in the conversation, flashing shooting touch and the kind of forward-center versatility that can make a young big useful in a modern rotation.
Now the challenge gets sharper with only the final two preseason games left to make another impression. Diaz Graham is still competing against the rest of the camp bodies for limited opportunities, but there is at least a path to a two-way contract if he can keep standing out in the minutes he gets. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Just Made Their Two-Way Wing Battle Even Tougher
The Mavericks added another name to the mix on the wing, signing 6-foot-7 forward Matt Cross and bringing their preseason roster to 21 players. Cross is expected to be around for the teams final two preseason games, giving Dallas one more look at a player whose appeal comes from activity, rebounding, energy and a workable shot.
For a roster still sorting out its depth, Cross only adds to the pressure on the clubs two-way wing competition. His spot in the regular-season picture is far from settled, but the signing does increase the number of options Dallas has on the perimeter as the preseason winds down and decisions get closer. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Face A Risky Dereck Lively Decision They Can't Ignore
The Mavericks have an important front-office call looming on Dereck Lively II, the promising 2023 first-round pick whose defensive upside has already made him a meaningful part of the teams long-term picture. Lively has battled through injuries and multiple surgeries, which has complicated what might otherwise be a straightforward extension decision for a young center the organization still believes in.
ESPNs Bobby Marks outlined one possible way to split the difference, suggesting a shorter-term structure that protects Dallas if the health questions linger while still rewarding Lively for what he has shown. The idea reflects the basic tension here: the Mavericks want to keep a valuable piece in place, but they also have to weigh availability as carefully as talent, and for now the final shape of that deal remains unresolved. [Read more 🡒]