Overview
- The Mavericks announced they signed Jett Howard to a two-way contract, a move posted on social media July 20 that followed the team waiving forward Tyler Smith to open the roster spot.
- Howard’s two-way pays $678,882 for 2026–27, makes him eligible to be active in up to 50 regular-season games, and prevents postseason play unless Dallas converts the deal to a standard contract.
- Howard was the No. 11 pick in 2023 and spent three seasons with the Orlando Magic, who declined his fourth-year option and let him reach free agency in 2026.
- He showed improved shooting in 2025–26, averaging 5.5 points and connecting on 37.2% of his three-pointers in limited minutes, but he must show better defense, rebounding and playmaking to earn a full roster spot.
- The signing keeps a Michigan connection in Dallas after the Mavericks drafted Morez Johnson Jr. and hired Dusty May, and it creates a low-risk path for Howard to prove himself with the Texas Legends while competing with other young wings for minutes.