The Dallas Mavericks will try to exact revenge on the Memphis Grizzlies Summer League squad this evening after losing their first Summer League game of a four-game slate in Las Vegas on Saturday night by a score of 90-89.
Dallas’ first Summer League game against the Jazz was paced by recently signed guard Brandon Williams, whose quickness and deft ball handling allowed him to score three points above the basket.
In Dallas’ opening Summer League game, Williams was the lone Maverick to show genuine dynamism as a lead shot creator. He finished with 21 points on 7-15 shooting from the field.
Melvin Ajinca could join Mavericks’ rotation as soon as next season
Still, there were encouraging things to be gained from a few of Dallas’ Summer League roster members, most notably Melvin Ajinca, the team’s most recent No. 51 overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft. In just 24 minutes of play, Ajinca scored 13 points on 5 of 13 from the field. The 6-foot-8 wing demonstrated his ability to attack off of closeouts to draw up for a mid-range jump jumper and finish with style at the rim on several occasions.
Ajinca also played mostly good defense; he utilized his quickness to effectively guard wings in one-on-one situations and didn’t appear to be shaken when forced to switch positions when the opponent’s low man drove to the basket.
Ajinca was just 1–5 from three-point range that night, but he had a tremendously smooth release and shown that, with enough time and effort, he can develop into an effective long-range jumper.
Mavericks fans have every reason to be excited about Ajinca’s impressive debut in his first Summer League appearance. Mavericks’ President of Basketball Operations Nico Harrison had previously suggested the possibility of Ajinca being a draft-and-stash player following the 2024 NBA Draft, which makes his performance even more noteworthy.
While it’s important not to read too much into a single Summer League game, Ajinca’s potential to become a versatile wing for Dallas is evident. If he continues to develop his frame and improve his 3-point shooting, he could turn out to be a significant steal from his draft class.
Ajinca will need to keep proving himself in the remaining Summer League games and during training camp this fall to solidify his place in Dallas’ main rotation. The Mavericks should closely monitor his progress, as his existing skill set suggests he might be able to contribute to the team sooner than expected.