DALLAS – Before he began his press conference after Monday’s practice at the Lympo practice facilities, Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle delivered some important news regarding the organization.
“The club has picked up Dennis Smith Jr.’s third year contract option, so that’s official,” Carlisle said. “Easy decision and I’m very happy for him.”
Smith, who is set to collect $3,650,100 this year for being the ninth overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, will earn an additional $3,823,900 next season in his rookie scale contract.
As a rookie point guard out of North Carolina State last year for the Mavs, Smith averaged 15.2 points and 5.2 assists per game while establishing himself as one of the league’s best young players. And if the four preseason games are any indication, Smith’s passing should be much better this year than last year.
“I think that’s a credit to coach and the offense and the teammates staying within the scheme,” Smith said. “They do a good job of getting spaced out, and it’s a lot easier for me to find an open guy when we’ve got good floor spacing.”
The Mavs open the regular season in Phoenix on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. against the Suns. And Smith, no doubt, will play a pivotal role as the Mavs try to start the season on a winning note.
“What a great first year and he’s had a great beginning to the second year, and so he’s going to be here,” Carlisle said. “He’s put in over a year of work with core, with functional training and functional strength and those kinds of things. All that helps to build a base to help your durability, longevity and all those kinds of things.
“The NBA season is grueling. It’s 82 games, but really there’s more with exhibitions, and if you get to the playoffs you can ring up 100 games before you can blink. All that stuff really helps any young player, but Dennis in particular has done a great job with that.”
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