Mavs' Dante Exum Impresses Australia: 'We Need to Play Him More'

Mavs guard Dante Exum is trending in the right direction during his preparation with Australia ahead of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The Dallas Mavericks took a flier on Dante Exum by signing him to a two-year, $6.15 million contract after he hadn't played in an NBA game since 2020-21. Before he gets a chance to pull off a bounce-back season, he will be representing Australia at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. 

Exum, who is set to fill a bench role, is not only expected to receive meaningful playing time when Australia is competing in Japan, but he has potentially played his way into an expanded role ahead of the World Cup. 

After a 90-86 loss to Brazil in an exhibition match on Wednesday, Australian national team coach Brian Goorjian told reporters that Exum needs to receive more playing time going forward. He finished with eight points, two rebounds, and three assists in just 14 minutes of action. 

"Bigger picture in all of this, I think we need to play Exum more," Goorjian said after Wednesday's loss to Brazil. 

Among the possibilities for Exum to receive an expanded role, mentioned by Goorjian, was to play him more alongside Josh Giddey, who is set to be Australia's primary initiator. As a pass-first talent, Giddey could use threats to attack the paint around him in the unit. 

"He's more than just the backup to Giddey, we need to get him involved in the game more, and maybe play those two together more," Goorjian said of Exum and Giddey.

Exum's defensive versatility would only help on defense, too. Australia has achieved success in stretches by deploying small ball personnel and applying aggressive ball pressure when doing so. Having quickness and perimeter size enables them to switch, and Exum only enhances that style.   

"The switching small-ball lineup helped us; as it went on, and they found the answer to that, they really hit us on the switches with the big around the basket," Goorjian said after Wednesday's game. "There's a place for it, for sure, and it's an avenue we can go to no matter who we select."

During Thursday's blowout victory over South Sudan, Exum logged 20 minutes and finished with six points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals. He continued to display how his style of play and veteran experience can provide a boost. 

Australia's first match in part of the FIBA World Cup is scheduled for Aug. 25 against Lauri Markkanen and Finland in Okinawa, Japan.

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Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).

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