The Dallas Mavericks have waived forward Matt Cross, a procedural move that was widely anticipated after the team signed him to an Exhibit 10 training camp contract. This transaction follows the Mavericks' most recent preseason action, a 97-101 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on October 14. Cross's departure is a standard preseason roster adjustment as Dallas finalizes its lineup.
An Exhibit 10 deal is a one-year, minimum-salary NBA contract with a specific bonus clause. It's designed for players likely to join a team's G League affiliate. For Matt Cross, this means he is in line to receive a financial bonus if he reports to and spends at least 60 days with the Texas Legends, the Mavericks' G League partner, during the 2026/27 season. This structure gives the organization continued developmental rights to the player while maintaining roster flexibility.
Cross, a 6'7" forward who went undrafted out of SMU in 2025, is familiar with the Mavericks' system. He was signed-and-waived by Dallas last fall and spent the entire 2025/26 campaign with the Texas Legends. In 36 regular season G League games last year, he averaged 6.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest. His shooting splits were solid, hitting 41.4% from three-point range on limited attempts.
Waiving Cross helps the Mavericks trim their preseason roster down to the required regular-season limit. The team's roster was completely full, making this move necessary. The focus remains on integrating primary rotation players during the preseason slate.
That preseason schedule has been a mixed bag for Dallas. After dropping their opener 117-135 to the Houston Rockets on October 9, they bounced back with a 132-115 victory over the same Rockets on October 11. Their most recent outing was the narrow 97-101 defeat to New Orleans. These games are primarily for evaluation and rhythm, with results being secondary to preparation.
For Matt Cross, the expected path is a return to the Texas Legends. Since his contract did not contain Exhibit 10 language that would automatically allocate him, his joining the Legends is the most probable outcome to earn his bonus. His performance there last season, particularly his rebounding and outside shooting, makes him a useful G League contributor.
The Mavericks now turn their attention to their next and final preseason test. They are scheduled to host the Atlanta Hawks at home on October 16. This game offers a final chance for coaches to assess rotations before the regular season begins. Fans can track the team's complete schedule on our schedule page. Following that, the real work begins as Dallas aims to build on its preseason lessons and compete in the Western Conference.
