Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks Agree to Rookie Contract

Dennis Smith Jr. and the Dallas Mavericks agreed to terms on a four-year rookie contract, the team announced Wednesday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but according to the 2017-18 rookie scale, the baseline values of Smith's deal come out to $2.6 million next season, $3.1 million for the 2018-19 season, $3.7 million for his third-year team option and a 27.4 percent raise over his third-year salary for the fourth-year team option after he was selected ninth overall. 

However, rookies can be signed for as much as 120 percent or as little as 80 percent of their scale-outlined value. 

A force with the N.C. State Wolfpack, Smith proved to be one of the nation's most explosive playmakers during his lone college season. 

In 32 appearances, the 6'3'' floor general averaged 18.1 points, 6.2 assists and 1.9 steals while shooting 45.5 percent from the field, including 35.9 percent from three. 

Smith also proved reliable when he darted into the lane, as evidenced by his 64.9 percent conversion rate on shots at the rim, per Hoop-Math.com. 

Now set to embark on his professional journey, Smith has already been pegged as a backcourt staple for a Mavericks team turning an eye toward the future. 

"This is the beginning of the Dennis Smith era," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said at Smith's introductory press conference, per Earl K. Sneed of the team's official website. 

If Smith can live up to his lottery billing and make a quick adjustment to the NBA alongside Harrison Barnes, Wesley Matthews and Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks could emerge as a dark horse to compete for one of the Western Conference's final playoff spots.