The Dallas Mavericks are taking a shot on a former Orlando Magic guard Jett Howard by signing him to a two-way contract.
Howard, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, failed to live up to expectations in his first three seasons with the Magic. In Howard’s defense, he joined the Magic as the fifth lottery pick in a three-year span, joining Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Dallas native Anthony Black in the team’s core. He couldn’t find his place in the rotation, which ultimately
led Orlando to part ways with him this summer.
Howard came into the league after playing one season at Michigan, where he made nearly 37 percent of his shots from downtown. The Magic hoped he would be a three-point specialist in the NBA, but he has only made 32.6 percent of his shots from downtown throughout his career.
Given the fact that the Mavericks had a two-way slot available on the roster, it doesn’t hurt to take someone who was once highly regarded as a prospect. While he may not be the same player he was three years ago, the Mavs can see what they have in Howard as he splits time between the Mavericks and the Texas Legends.
This is a low-risk, high-reward move that could give Dallas an additional guard if he ends up getting back to the player he once was at Michigan.
Mavs Moneyball community, what do you make of the Howard signing? Let us know in the comments section below.
