Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki called out for $10,000 bet by Dennis Smith Jr
Former Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. and Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki were teammates for a couple of years.
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Dennis Smith Jr. calls out Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki over unfulfilled bet
Former Dallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. recently shared a memorable story about his time with the team, involving none other than franchise icon Dirk Nowitzki. Smith, the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, played alongside Nowitzki during the legendary basketball player’s last few seasons. He revealed a hilarious wager between him and the German icon, which left him asking for $10,000.
Speaking on the Run Your Race podcast, Dennis Smith Jr. recounted a playful bet made during practice that, according to him, still hasn’t been settled. He explained how a casual conversation about Nowitzki’s perceived lack of speed escalated into a full-on race. The stakes were high, with $10,000 on the line, but Smith claimed that even though he won, Nowitzki has yet to pay up.
Dirk owes me $10,000. We were talking one day, saying, ‘Ain’t no way Dirk can move that slow.’ Somebody set up a race. The deal was Dirk starts at half-court, and I start at full-court, and we run to the other end. So we did it, I won the race. But he still hasn’t paid me. I keep telling him, ‘Dirk, don’t make me come down to your street to get my money.’ He just laughs it off, but I’m serious, Dirk! I need my 10 bands.
Dennis Smith Jr. hilariously recounted on the podcast
The anecdote is emblematic of Dirk Nowitzki’s famously humble and playful personality. Dennis Smith Jr. was quick to clarify that the bet was more of a joke than an actual wager which he would act on. He added that his relationship with Nowitzki was one of the most memorable aspects of his early career.
Dennis Smith Jr’s time with the Mavericks was brief but formative. Drafted to be the centerpiece of a rebuilding team, he showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie season but was eventually traded as part of the deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas.
Where is Dennis Smith Jr. now?
After stints with several teams, Dennis Smith Jr. finds himself in an uncertain position this season. The former lottery pick played 56 games for the Brooklyn Nets during the 2023-24 season, averaging 6.6 points per game. However, as the 2024-25 season unfolds, Smith remains unsigned, making him one of the more intriguing free agents still available.
Analysts believe Dennis Smith Jr. could provide value as a role player, particularly for teams in need of a strong defensive guard. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto recently described him as one of the most underrated free agents on the market, noting his ability to create plays for teammates and improve spacing.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale noted that Smith’s assist rate on drives last season ranked in the top six among players with over 300 such possesions. Earlier this offseason, reports linked Smith with a potential reunion with the Mavericks. While nothing materialized, the idea of a homecoming remains plausible. At 27 years old, Smith has evolved into a more disciplined player, showing significant improvement in his spot-up shooting and defensive versatility.
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Armaan Gupta
(419 Articles Published)