Dallas finalizes Exum return
The Dallas Mavericks have formally re-signed guard Dante Exum, according to the NBA’s transaction log, completing a deal that had been expected for nearly two months. The Australian guard, who turns 30 later in July, averaged 8.0 points, 2.8 assists and hit 47 percent of his three-point attempts in 20 appearances last season before wrist surgery and a broken hand cut his year short.
To create the necessary cap room, Dallas waived and stretched forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Even after that move, the Mavericks still need to trim salary to stay below the league’s second tax apron once Kyrie Irving’s new contract and D’Angelo Russell’s agreement become official. Waiving guard Brandon Williams is viewed as the most straightforward path, though no final decision has been announced.
Exum’s new deal gives head coach Jason Kidd another experienced backcourt option as the club continues to shape its roster.
Talen Horton-Tucker weighing overseas option
Free-agent wing Talen Horton-Tucker, 24, is close to signing with Turkish power Fenerbahce, Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews reported. Eurohoops contributor Bugra Uzar added that an agreement is in place, but the six-year NBA veteran will wait a few more days for a possible NBA offer before making a final commitment.
Horton-Tucker, an NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, spent three seasons in L.A., two with Utah and split last year with Chicago. The Bulls originally brought him in on an Exhibit 10 contract that was converted to a standard deal after he remained on the roster past the January guarantee date. He played 58 games for Chicago, averaging 6.5 points in 12.5 minutes. Over 305 career NBA games, he owns averages of 9.2 points, 2.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds.
If he finalizes the move to Istanbul, Horton-Tucker would join a Fenerbahce squad that already includes several former NBA players, among them Brandon Boston Jr.
Matt Thomas heads to Spain’s Liga ACB
Shooting guard Matt Thomas has agreed to a contract with Fundación CB Granada for the 2025-26 season, the Spanish club announced. The 31-year-old sharpshooter appeared in 126 NBA games with the Raptors, Jazz and Bulls from 2019-22 before spending the past two seasons in the EuroLeague with ALBA Berlin. He averaged 12.3 points while knocking down 46 percent of his three-point attempts in 21 games for the German side last season.
Granada finished 9-25 in Liga ACB play a year ago; Thomas arrives as a proven perimeter scorer as the team seeks to climb the standings.
Source: Hoops Wire
