Mavericks bring in former Lakers guard for training camp

Itiel Estudillo

Mavericks bring in former Lakers guard for training camp image

The Dallas Mavericks are giving former Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Moi Hodge a chance to prove himself. The Mavericks are signing Hodge to a training camp deal ahead of the 2025–26 season. Hodge, who went undrafted out of Missouri in 2023, spent time on a two-way contract with the Lakers before stints in the G League and overseas. Known for his energy and defensive instincts, the 6-foot-4 guard has built a reputation as a hard worker willing to carve out a role by doing the little things.

For Dallas, the addition is low risk but potentially rewarding. The Mavericks have a crowded backcourt, but they value depth and competition, especially as they look to stabilize rotations around Cooper Flagg's arrival and their established core. Hodge’s ability to guard multiple positions and provide a spark could give him a lane toward earning a roster spot, particularly through a two-way contract, which he remains eligible for.

What D'Moi Hodge could bring to the Mavericks?

D'Moi Hodge isn’t coming in to be a star, but his skill set fits a need for the Dallas Mavericks. With a roster built around high-usage scorers, the Mavericks can benefit from a guard who thrives off-ball, plays tough defense, and hustles for every possession. In summer league and G League play, he showed flashes of a reliable outside shot along with the effort that coaches trust at the end of rotations.

For the 26-year-old guard, this is about opportunity. Training camp is his chance to prove he can hang with NBA-level competition, and Dallas gives him a platform to showcase growth. If he impresses the organization, Hodge could find himself with the Mavericks longer than just camp, serving as another example of how persistence and versatility can keep a player in the league.

Itiel Estudillo

Itiel Estudillo is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a seasoned NBA analyst with years of experience in the basketball industry. His passion for the game started on the hardwood, and one of the standout moments of his career was covering the 2023 FIBA World Cup, a milestone that solidified his place in sports reporting. Beyond analysis, Itiel has lent his voice as a play-by-play commentator for various developmental leagues across the Philippines.