Summer League is here, and thousands of passionate NBA fans are heading to the Thomas and Mack Center at UNLV to witness 10 days of intense basketball action.
The Dallas Mavericks kick off their five-game series in the desert on Saturday night against the Utah Jazz. It’s the last game of the day, so fans watching at home should be ready for a late-night game.
Expectations for this version of the Summer Mavs are unclear. This year’s roster lacks the notable names of previous years, but it still has enough experienced talent to make an impact in Las Vegas.
A.J. Lawson, the most experienced player on the team, has 67 NBA games under his belt, including 10 playoff appearances. This will be his fourth Summer League appearance, having first played in 2021 with the Atlanta Hawks. Last year, he stood out in Vegas, playing alongside Jaden Hardy, Derrick Lively II, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, and McKinley Wright IV. Now, Lawson is expected to be the team leader, but he must prove it on the court.
Prosper, another veteran, showed potential in last summer’s league and bounced between the G League and the NBA, appearing in 43 games, including three playoff games. He needs to demonstrate control and consistency to show he can play with pace and rhythm.
Alex Fudge and Brandon Williams, the team’s two-way players, are also looking to prove themselves. Fudge played two games with the Mavs and 27 games in the G League, while Williams, recently re-signed, appeared in 17 games last season. This will be their second and third Summer League appearances, respectively.
Newcomer Melvin Ajinca, acquired in a trade with the New York Knicks, has an impressive international record. He needs to show he can adapt his game to the NBA level. Jazian Gortman and Emanuel Miller, the newest Mavericks, will also be aiming to make a strong impression during the Summer League.
One of the exciting aspects of Summer League is the unpredictability. Players like Jeremy Lin, Yuki Togashi, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., Cameron Payne, and Jordan “Jelly” Walker have made memorable impacts in the past. This year, players like Ricky Lindo, Xavier Johnson, and Jamarion Sharp could surprise and captivate fans, making Summer League a thrilling event.