The Dallas Mavericks received a much-needed boost on Thursday as they announced the signing of Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to a 10-day contract, utilizing one of the hardship exceptions granted by the NBA. This decision comes on the heels of unfortunate season-ending injuries to Dante Exum and Dereck Lively II, forcing Dallas to navigate their roster constraints closely.
Despite being near the second apron which limits financial flexibility, the Mavericks were able to sign Robinson-Earl, whose 10-day contract represents the most affordable option available in the league. The forward initially did not make the Mavericks’ main roster despite an impressive preseason and training camp. He briefly joined the Indiana Pacers, where he played 17 games before being waived amid struggles on a challenging team.
Robinson-Earl has rebounded since joining the Texas Legends, the Mavericks’ G-League affiliate, where he has showcased his talent. In 11 games, he averaged 19.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game with impressive shooting splits of 52.2% from the field, 34.7% from three, and 94.4% from the free-throw line. His strong performance has made him a compelling option for the Mavericks, especially as they navigate their current injury crisis.
While it’s unclear how the Mavericks will manage their roster space leading up to the trade deadline, Robinson-Earl brings versatility as a bigger-bodied wing who has worked on improving his dribble-drive ability. Although he may not be the strongest defender, his speed allows him to match up well against larger opponents, which could be valuable for the Mavericks, particularly in light of P.J. Washington’s erratic performances and recent ankle problems.
Additionally, Robinson-Earl may serve as a floor-stretching option at center if needed, particularly as Dallas experiences depth issues at the position. This small-ball strategy could provide an exciting dynamic to the Mavericks’ offense, even though it may come with some defensive drawbacks.
The signing of Robinson-Earl has left fans and analysts curious about how the Mavericks will utilize their hardship exceptions. The ability to sign a player of his caliber reflects well on the team’s decision-making process amid adversity.
There is hope that Robinson-Earl’s stint with the Mavericks may extend beyond the initial 10 days, should he continue to perform strongly. If he can replicate the promising form he showed during the preseason, he could earn a more permanent role with the team moving forward.