Jett Howard, a former 11th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, just signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks this summer after three seasons in Orlando. Yeah, you read that right, an 11th overall pick on a two-way. It’s not exactly the trajectory anyone expected for him, especially after going so high in the draft. He never quite found his rhythm with the Magic, but his role did grow last season, and now he’s got a fresh start to prove why he was such a highly touted prospect.
Dallas Needs His Shot, Badly
So why did Dallas bring in a guy who, let’s be honest, hasn’t exactly lit up the league? It’s pretty obvious: The dude can shoot. On a Mavericks roster that needs players who can space the floor around stars like Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, that skill alone gives Howard a real path to minutes. Last season, he averaged a career-high 5.5 points in 12.6 minutes per game, which isn’t exactly eye-popping for a lottery pick. But check this: he shot 37.2% from three and an insane 94.9% from the free-throw line. Those numbers aren’t going to make headlines on their own, but they’re respectable enough to force defenses to at least think about him.
Can He Do More Than Just Drain Threes?
Here’s the million-dollar question for Dallas: Can Jett Howard become more than just a shooter? It’s that simple. The Mavericks don’t need him to drop 15 points every night; they’ve got plenty of guys who handle the ball and score. What they really need is someone who can make defenses pay when they decide to double-team Flagg, Irving, or another primary creator. Howard’s 37.2% from deep on 2.6 attempts per game shows he’s a legitimate threat. Coach Dusty May needs a guy he can trust to get a bucket when it matters, and that’s usually from beyond the arc. But can he do the “little things”? We’re talking running around screens, making the extra pass, attacking a hard closeout, moving without the ball, and actually competing on defense. If Howard can consistently bring those elements to the court, that two-way contract could quickly look like an absolute steal. If he can’t, he won’t see much playing time.
A Youth Movement Fit That Could Ignite the Roster
The best-case scenario for Dallas is that Howard absolutely shoots the lights out and carves out a spot in the rotation. The Mavericks have a ton of young, athletic players, but they’re desperate for reliable shooting. Their 2026-27 roster is packed with guys 25 or younger, and Howard fits that youth movement perfectly. The best version of Jett isn’t a high-volume scorer. It’s a 6-foot-8 wing who can come into a game, immediately provide floor spacing, and knock down three or four shots without needing the offense designed around him. There’s something seriously intriguing about putting a player like that next to Cooper Flagg. If Flagg develops into the offensive engine Dallas expects, defenses are going to collapse on him every single possession, leaving guys like Howard wide open to make them pay. Keep an eye on this kid; his performance could be a game-changer.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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