
Exum set for Mavs return as No.1 pick signs rookie deal
Exum has reportedly shunned two other options in free agency and agreed to a one-year deal with the Mavericks.
Kyrie Irving will be sidelined by a knee injury until at least mid-season, meaning Exum could be called on to play significant minutes in the back-court alongside new addition D'Angelo Russell.
But the 29-year-old Melbourne product has to stay fit, after being sidelined by a wrist injury last season as his horror run of setbacks continued.
Exum made just 20 appearances for the Mavs throughout the 2024/25 campaign, averaging 8.7 points, 2.8 assists, 1.7 rebounds and 0.6 steals in 18.6 minutes per game.
Dallas will have to clear a roster spot to re-sign Exum, who was one of a record 15 Australians in the NBA last season.
Another four - Rocco Zikarsky (Minnesota), Tyrese Proctor (Cleveland), Alex Toohey (Golden State) and Lachlan Olbrich (Chicago) - were selected at last month's draft.
Flagg, meanwhile, has signed a deal worth about $US62.7 million, with a first-year salary of about $US13.8 million.
There are team options in the third and fourth seasons of rookie deals.
Flagg is set to feature in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas this month, having joined the Mavs after they converted a 1.8 per cent chance to win the draft lottery.
The 18-year-old led the Duke Blue Devils to the NCAA Final Four in his only collegiate season.
He joins a Mavs front-court that should include 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis and promising young centre Dereck Lively II, Flagg's fellow Duke alum.
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