Jason Kidd gives cryptic answer about key Mavericks' injury

The Dallas Mavericks have already been dealt a few injuries to start the preseason. Kyrie Irving is still recovering from his torn ACL from back in March, Daniel Gafford sprained his ankle on the first day of training camp, and Brandon Williams has been dealing with a sore hamstring.

And then there's Dante Exum, whose injury we know quite literally nothing about. When he wasn't practicing in training camp, the only update was that he hadn't been practicing. And then he misses the first preseason game, Jason Kidd's only update is "He’s just out. That’s all I can tell you.”

Jason Kidd said Caleb Martin & Dennis Smith participated in half of today’s practice.

Asked about Dante Exum & Kidd said, “He’s just out. That’s all I can tell you.”

On Daniel Gafford: “Daniel’s doing a little running…I think he’s feeling better so he’s going in the right…
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) October 7, 2025

That's an alarming update, especially for someone who has dealt with injuries throughout his entire career. Exum only played in 20 games last season due to a wrist injury that required surgery in training camp, and then he fractured his hand soon after returning.

The Mavericks made it a priority to bring Exum back this summer, even choosing to waive-and-stretch Olivier-Maxence Prosper since they couldn't find a trade for him to get the deal done. Waiving Prosper will cost the Mavs about $1 million over the next three seasons. They knew they needed some additional ball-handling because of the injury to Irving, but now Exum is dealing with some kind of injury, too.

Sep 29, 2025; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum (0) poses for a photo during the Mavericks 2025 media day at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Other Mavericks Injury Updates

Jason Kidd did provide some injury updates on other players.

On Daniel Gafford, he said, "Daniel’s doing a little running…I think he’s feeling better, so he’s going in the right direction.”

Gafford's initial timeframe to return was 2-3 weeks, and Monday's preseason game marked one week. He seems on pace to return for the start of the regular season on October 22nd.

Caleb Martin and Dennis Smith Jr. didn't play in Monday's preseason game, but Kidd did provide that they went through about half of practice on Tuesday. They are also still trying to acquire Smith's G-League rights from the Milwaukee Bucks, which is important to the Mavs, since it's unlikely that he makes the main roster. Dallas does have an open two-way contract, but Smith is ineligible for that spot.

There has been no update on when Irving could return, and Irving himself has said he won't provide a timetable, only focusing on being 100% healthy. The initial report months ago indicated that Irving could return around January, and he does seem to be making great progress, but if the team is struggling, he may take a little extra time to make sure he's ready.

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