Dennis Smith Jr. had his third-year team option picked up by the Dallas Mavericks, according to Dwain Price of Mavs.com. The North Carolina native will make $3.82 million this season and $4.46 million in 2019-20 as a result.

Smith had a shining debut season in the NBA, putting up 15.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and a steal per game, despite his inconsistent shooting as a rookie for the Mavs.

The 20-year-old floor general was a ripe talent fresh off one season at North Carolina State facing plenty of questions about his ability to shoot the ball. He proved those doubts true by shooting only 39.5 percent from the floor and 31.3 percent from deep, coupled with a subpar 69.4 percent from the foul line — one he stayed away from despite his aggressive rim-attacking style of play.

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Mavericks News
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.
Mavericks rumors: What Dallas is expected to tell Knicks about Jason KiddOwen Crisafulli ·
image thumbnail
Former Nets guard eyeing NBA comeback with 76ers, MavericksErik Slater ·
Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
Mavericks make obvious Cooper Flagg pre-draft moveZachary Howell ·
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd looks on during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.
NBA rumors: Knicks expected to make Jason Kidd request after Tom Thibodeau firingJoey Mistretta ·
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd greets guard Luka Doncic (77) as Doncic comes off the floor during the third quarter against the LA Clippers during game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center.
Mavericks’ 10 best NBA Draft day moves in historySpencer See ·
Tyrese Haliburton, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Exclusive: The surprise superstar AAU ballers picked as NBA’s Face of the LeagueChris Dodson ·

Yet Smith started to figure out his place on the floor as the season went on, and that combined with his shot selection has shown in the Mavericks' short preseason, shooting 50 percent or better in three of the four games while posting double digits in each one of them.

Dennis Smith Jr. struggled on and off with injuries throughout his first season in the league, but managed to play 69 games, getting the nod as the outright starter for the team.

The team-option was one expected to be honored, as Mavs owner Mark Cuban and his front office have backed Smith as the future of the franchise since the day they drafted him, still high on his untapped potential and expecting his eventual breakthrough moment as one of the faces of the franchise alongside rookie Luka Doncic.