Breaking News: Serious Wrist Injury! Exum's Fragile Career Takes Another Hit

In a devastating blow for the Dallas Mavericks, news broke that guard Dante Exum has sustained a serious right wrist injury, possibly requiring surgery. According to the latest report from NBA insider Shams Charania, the Mavericks are currently evaluating treatment options for Exum, but the potential for surgery looms large.

For many basketball fans, the news of yet another Exum injury likely brings a sense of unfortunate familiarity. Once a promising young prospect, Exum has faced a career riddled with injuries, derailing his time in the NBA time and again. From a top-five pick in the 2014 NBA Draft to a player who has struggled to stay healthy, Exum's story has been one of unfulfilled potential due to continuous setbacks.

A Promising Start, Derailed by Injuries

Dante Exum was selected fifth overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, a draft class that was considered one of the strongest in recent years. Exum was chosen after Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Joel Embiid, and Aaron Gordon, and ahead of other notable players like Marcus Smart, Julius Randle, and Zach LaVine. Standing 6'6" with a wingspan of 6'10", Exum’s physical tools and potential were tantalizing. His quick first step, ability to attack the basket, and versatility to play multiple positions made him one of the most coveted guards of his class. Despite some concerns about his shooting, Exum was widely regarded as one of the most talented and promising players in the 2014 draft.

His rookie season showed some promise, but it was also an indicator of things to come. Exum played all 82 games, averaging 22.2 minutes per game, but his production was underwhelming: 4.8 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.5 steals per game on a dismal 34.9% shooting from the field. While his offensive game was raw, his durability in his first season was something to be optimistic about.

Unfortunately, that rookie year remains the only season in which Exum played a full slate of games. In the summer of 2015, while representing the Australian national team, Exum tore the ACL in his left knee, forcing him to miss the entire 2015-16 NBA season. This marked the beginning of an injury-plagued career that has continuously robbed Exum of the opportunity to fully showcase his talents.

When he returned in the 2016-17 season, Exum played 66 games and showed flashes of his potential, but that hope was short-lived. The following season, 2017-18, saw Exum suffer a dislocated shoulder, limiting him to just 14 games. And in the 2018-19 season, after 42 games, he tore the patellar tendon in his right knee, once again cutting his season short.

From there, Exum’s career went into free fall. In 2019, the Utah Jazz traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where injuries and inconsistency continued to plague him. He played in only 35 games during the 2019-20 season, as the COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted the NBA schedule. In the 2020-21 season, Exum suffered a calf injury, appearing in just six games before being traded to the Houston Rockets, where he was ultimately shut down for the rest of the season.

Summing up Exum’s injury history, after playing all 82 games in his rookie season, the following six years saw him appear in 0, 66, 14, 42, 35, and 6 games, respectively. Despite his impressive talent and physical gifts, Exum simply could not stay on the court. By 2021, he was out of the NBA entirely.

A Return to the NBA, and a Glimmer of Hope

Exum’s time away from the NBA saw him embark on a stint in European basketball, where he played for FC Barcelona and Partizan Belgrade. In these leagues, Exum began to rediscover some of his form, and his performances were enough to catch the attention of NBA teams once again. In the summer of 2023, the Dallas Mavericks took a chance on him, signing Exum to a two-year, $6.1 million contract, with the second year being non-guaranteed. It was a modest deal, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding Exum’s health, but it also represented an opportunity for him to revive his NBA career.

Initially, Exum didn’t play a significant role for the Mavericks. However, an injury to Kyrie Irving in December opened the door for Exum to receive extended playing time, and he took full advantage of the opportunity. In December 2023, Exum averaged 31.1 minutes per game across 13 appearances, posting 15.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on an astonishing 60.6% shooting from the field, including 53.3% from three-point range. His standout performance came in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers, where he scored 26 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including 7-of-9 from beyond the arc, helping the Mavericks to secure a win.

Overall, Exum’s 2023-24 season saw him appear in 55 games, averaging 19.8 minutes per game and contributing 7.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on exceptional efficiency. His shooting splits of 53.3% from the field, 49.1% from three, and 77.9% from the free-throw line, combined with a true shooting percentage of 64.5%, highlighted just how effective Exum had become when healthy. Notably, when Exum was on the floor, the Mavericks outscored their opponents by 10.3 points per 100 possessions. Without him, they were outscored by 0.7 points. His cumulative plus-minus of +239 was third-best on the team, behind only Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.

Exum’s resurgence, after years of battling injuries and even being forced out of the NBA, was one of the feel-good stories of the season. Though he hadn’t reached the heights once expected of him, his contributions were invaluable to the Mavericks. After being written off as a "bust" and "glass man" due to his constant injuries, Exum had managed to carve out a significant role on a playoff-bound team.

Another Setback: Serious Wrist Injury

Just as Exum was beginning to re-establish himself, disaster struck once again. This time, it’s a serious wrist injury that could potentially require surgery, dealing yet another blow to Exum’s fragile career. Wrist injuries are particularly problematic for a player like Exum, whose shooting mechanics have been a key factor in his recent success. Any surgical procedure on the wrist could have a lasting impact on his ability to shoot the ball effectively, raising concerns about his future on the court.

For the Mavericks, the timing of this injury is less catastrophic than it might have been, thanks to their offseason moves. Dallas strengthened its backcourt depth during the summer, adding players like Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes, meaning they won’t be short of options should Exum be sidelined for an extended period. However, Exum’s absence will still be felt, as he had been a valuable contributor on both ends of the floor.

For Exum personally, this injury could be yet another turning point in his career. If he’s unable to recover fully or return to the form he displayed last season, he risks being let go by the Mavericks, given that the second year of his contract is non-guaranteed. More worryingly, this injury could potentially spell the end of his time in the NBA altogether. After enduring years of injuries and working so hard to make his way back to the league, this latest setback is a cruel twist of fate.

What's Next for Exum?

For now, the Mavericks will assess Exum’s injury and decide on the best course of treatment. If surgery is required, it will likely mean a significant amount of time on the sidelines, further delaying his progress. Exum’s career has been one of incredible perseverance, battling back time and time again from devastating injuries. But at some point, even the most resilient players can be worn down by the constant physical toll.

Whether Exum can recover from this latest setback and return to the court remains to be seen. For fans and analysts alike, the hope is that this injury won’t be the final chapter in a career that has seen so much promise but been derailed by so much misfortune. Exum has proven he has the talent and ability to contribute at the NBA level — if only his body would cooperate.