Mavs Ex McKinley Wright IV Signs With European Team; Details

Currently, A.J. Lawson and Mike Miles Jr. are signed to two of the team's three two-way contracts for 2023-24, along with Taze Moore and Jordan "Jelly" Walker being signed to Exhibit 10 contracts.

Wright appeared in two games during Summer League, averaging 8.5 points and 2.0 assists in 17.2 minutes per game. He shot 53.8 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from 3-point range. His participation in Las Vegas was ended early due to a left ankle sprain he suffered against the Golden State Warriors.  

At 5-foot-11, Wright has shown to be an aggressive on-ball defender, but must continue to grow as a scorer within the half-court. He was visibly more aggressive taking pull-up jumpers during his time in Summer League practices, but the need to improve in that area continued to show in Las Vegas before injury. 

"Going into year three, it's time to take that next step," Wright said before Summer League. "It's not just about being a pest on defense, it's being able to be a pest and make plays on offense, whether it's for me or for others. I'm just trying to have that aggressive mindset. 

"They've seen it in summer pickup that I can make those shots," Wright explained. "I can get to my floater in midrange, and I can actually make those shots. Once they've seen that over the summertime, they kind of poured into me, and told me to be more aggressive going into this Summer League and they want me to take more shots. I've been working on it and I could do it consistently."

After Wright became sidelined, Jaden Hardy was held out for the Mavs' final two Summer League games due to a shoulder injury. It created an opportunity for Walker to showcase his scoring ability and he took full advantage. 

As Wright continues to develop his game, he has taken inspiration from Fred VanVleet, who went undrafted when entering the NBA as an undersized guard. However, he has earned an All-Star appearance and will have earned roughly $233 million by the time his three-year, $128.5 million contract with the Houston Rockets is complete.

"I think it's just shooting the ball," Wright said before Summer League. "I've showcased that I can get downhill at a high level. I could play in a pick and roll at a high level. Now, a next step is being able to shoot the three.

"I saw a quote from Fred VanVleet about being in a six-foot guard. You have be able to defend, be a pest on defense, and shoot the three ball if you want to get paid," Wright explained. "I put countless hours into it, so I'm excited to let it be known."

Wright went undrafted in 2021 and spent his rookie campaign signed to a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, appearing in just five NBA games. He joined the Mavs on a two-way deal for 2022-23 and played 27 games, but mostly spent time with the Texas Legends. 

Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).