Shooting guard John Jenkins knew the numbers -- that the Dallas Mavericks would end up cutting at least one player with a guaranteed salary -- but never considered himself to be competing for a roster spot.

“I came here competing for minutes,” Jenkins said. “I knew if I played my game, I wouldn’t be in any discussion about making the team. My skill level is there and I work hard. That speaks for itself. I’m coming for minutes.”

As the biggest bright spot of the Mavs’ winless preseason, Jenkins has indeed removed himself from any conversations about the final few roster spots. He’s emerged as a serious consideration for coach Rick Carlisle’s rotation, offering hope that the 24-year-old Jenkins can follow in the footsteps of Brandan Wright and Al-Farouq Aminu as former first-round picks who resuscitated their careers in Dallas.

Scoff at preseason stats if you wish, but the former Atlanta Hawks first-round pick ranks as the NBA’s fourth-leading scorer this fall behind All-Stars Kyle Lowry, Damian Lillard and Anthony Davis. And Jenkins isn’t just gunning away to get his 19.3 points per game, as he's shooting 51.8 percent from the floor.

“He’s an improved player,” Carlisle said. “He’s stronger, quicker, more aggressive than I remember. He’s really stepped up his aggressiveness. When he steps into the gym, he’s a threat to score. I’ve loved his aggressiveness. The challenge is to maintain this.”

You might not remember Jenkins from his time in Atlanta. Don’t feel bad if that’s the case. He barely got off the bench the past two seasons, which is why the Mavs were able to sign him to a three-year minimum contract with only the first season guaranteed.

Jenkins contributed to a 44-win team as a rookie in 2012-13, but a back injury limited him to only 13 games in his second season. He was healthy but buried on the Hawks’ bench last season, appearing in only 24 games, often in garbage time.

“Surprisingly my confidence stayed the same in Atlanta, because when I did play I was able to play really well,” said Jenkins, who shot 49.5 percent from the floor and 40.4 percent from 3-point range despite his sporadic playing time last season. “I played well then I’d sit out for two weeks. That part was tough, but my confidence stayed pretty high.”

The Mavs figured Jenkins was worth a shot because of his spot-up shooting ability. He’s proved this preseason, when he’s been pressed into playing some point guard because of injuries, that he can also create with the ball in his hands. He’s been efficient with driving floaters and off-the-dribble midrange jumpers.

“People haven’t seen me handle the ball like this in a long time,” Jenkins said.

People haven’t seen Jenkins do much in a long time. He came to Dallas determined to change that.