JaJuan Smith likely to be invited to training camp

JaJuan Smith appears to have moved a step closer in making an NBA roster.

Dallas Mavericks president Donnie Nelson told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the undrafted rookie from Tennessee will likely be invited to fall training camp.

"Smith is a guy we have our eye on," Nelson told the newspaper when asked about players the Mavericks signed for the summer leagues. "The rest are open for discussion."

The Mavericks have 13 guaranteed contracts. Guard Keith McLeod is also under contract, but it is not guaranteed.

Gerald Green, the 6-foot-8 former slam dunk champion who was signed as a free agent, led the Mavericks with a 19.3 scoring average in summer league play. James Singleton, another 6-8 free-agent signee who the Mavericks hope will develop into a top-flight defender, also had a solid camp.

Nelson said Charles Rhodes, a bruising 6-8, 245-pound forward from Mississippi State, will likely be invited to camp, too.

"Rhodes is real athletic and showed really good promise," Nelson said.

Nelson said the Mavericks will not have a lot of candidates for the final two roster spots.

"We’re not going to have that many guys in training camp," he said. "It won’t be any more than 17 or 18. But we’re planning on having a good old-fashioned training camp with spots that are going to be won. We have 13 players with guarantees, but if one of the veterans shows up and is not prepared, we’re not afraid to cut guaranteed money."