Hardaway Traded, Exum Retained: Mavs Prepare Roster for Free Agency

The Dallas Mavericks have made anticipated moves that reshape their roster and financial flexibility ahead of free agency on Sunday. As reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Mavericks have traded Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second-round picks to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Quentin Grimes. This move not only brings in young talent in Grimes but also frees up significant cap space.

While focusing on acquiring new talent, the Mavericks have also prioritized retaining key pieces from last season's roster. While the team's top priority is to resign Derrick Jones Jr., ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported the team has decided to retain guard Dante Exum, whose $3.15 million salary for the upcoming season is now guaranteed.

Exum proved his value to the team last season, playing in 55 games and averaging 7.8 points in 19.8 minutes per game. His impressive shooting percentages (53.3% FG, 49.1% 3PT, 77.9% FT) and solid contributions across the board (2.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists) make him a valuable rotation player.

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He provided many memorable moments for Dallas in his first year with the team, including being known for showing up for clutch moments when needed. He went 8-for-12 on 3-pointers in the clutch throughout the season, including his iconic 3-point buzzer-beater against Houston to force the game into overtime.

These moves demonstrate the Mavericks' commitment to building a competitive roster around superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving by ensuring depth and versatility across the lineup. The strategic trade for Quentin Grimes, combined with the retention of reliable contributors like Dante Exum, positions Dallas for a potential return to the NBA Finals.