Brandon Knight signs second 10-day deal with Dallas Mavericks

One of John Calipari’s first guards at Kentucky has found his way back into the NBA. Now, he’ll have 10 days to justify a roster spot and get signed for the rest of the season.

The Dallas Mavericks announced on Tuesday that they have signed Brandon Knight to a second 10-Day Hardship contract. This move came because Mavericks guard Trey Burke recently entered the NBA’s Health & Safety Protocols.

The Dallas Mavericks have signed Brandon Knight to a second 10-day contract under the COVID-related hardship allowance.

Knight signed a 10-day contract on Dec. 23 and played in three games for Dallas. He averaged 10.0 points and 2.7 assists per game.

Knight will wear #20. pic.twitter.com/Xr3beeAEpQ

— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) March 29, 2022

The Mavs signed Knight to a similar deal back in December. He averaged 10 points and 2.7 assists on 45% shooting in 18 minutes per game in three outings off the bench. His stint was highlighted by a game against the Portland Trailblazers where he put up 18 points and five assists.

Knight had a successful first eight seasons in the NBA before an ACL tear kept him out of the 2017-2018 season. He has bounced out of and around the league ever since. Prior to this year, he hadn’t played in the NBA since the 2019-2020 season with both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons. 

His most recent professional action before then was participating in the 2021 NBA Summer League with the Brooklyn Nets. After that, his next stint came in the NBA G-League with the Sioux Fall Skyforce. The 30-year old averaged 14.1 points and 4.3 assists in 10 games with the Skyforce this season.

This will be Knight’s final opportunity to stick in Dallas this season as teams can only sign players to two 10-Day contracts during the year. With his signing coming in the wake of a backup guard missing time due to COVID, he’s likely just the Mavericks’ insurance policy until Burke leaves protocols. Still, this is Knight’s opportunity to stay on a roster or prove to another franchise he still has what it takes to be in the NBA.

Knight wasn’t with the team for their most recent win against the L.A. Lakers. His next opportunity will come during Dallas’ four-game Eastern Conference road trip that starts in Cleveland on Wednesday.

For more updates on former Wildcats in the league, check out KSR’s ‘Cats in the NBA tab.