Biggest question about Sergio De Larrea has already been answered for the Mavericks

After NBA Summer League, the biggest question about Dallas Mavericks rookie point guard Sergio De Larrea was whether he was ready to play actual rotation minutes in the NBA. Dallas traded up to draft him with the No.25 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but there were some initial doubts about his readiness to compete against NBA competition.

Sergio De Larrea wasn't perfect during Summer League

De Larrea thrived as a playmaker in Las Vegas, showing off his ability to throw alley-oop passes, manipulate the defense with his eyes, and get his teammates involved. He led all players at Summer League by averaging 8.8 assists per game, but there were some glaring question marks in his performances that seemed like they could hold him back once the real games started.

Larry struggled as a shooter, shooting just 20 percent from three over four games, lacked the burst to blow by defenders, and his handle looked loose. He displayed promise, but there wasn't a guarantee that he would be developed enough to play during the regular season — regardless of how talented a playmaker he was.

De Larrea has been excellent through two preseason games

After just two preseason games in Macao, China, De Larrea has already shown that he's good enough to be part of Dallas' regular rotation.

He started his NBA career off by putting up 11 points, two rebounds, six assists, and one steal in his first game. De Larrea knocked down all three of his 3-point attempts, illustrating how dangerous he can be when left open off the catch, and made the right reads in transition. His early chemistry with Dallas' big men was also a promising sign.

Larry followed this performance up with nine points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the Mavericks' second game in Macao, further proving that he's prepared for the NBA.

He pushed the ball well in transition, knocked down another three, and had a couple of nice finishes around the basket. De Larrea looked even more comfortable than he did in the first game, and his left-handed reverse layup in the fourth quarter was a promising sign that he isn't afraid to be assertive on offense and hunt his own shot when needed.

Why De Larrea is ready for the NBA

While preseason games should be taken with a grain of salt, the signs are there for De Larrea. He looks like he belongs, the jumper is pure, and he's already one of the best passers on the team. The Mavericks are going to need him to continue to thrive, especially since Marcus Sasser is the only other true point guard outside of Kyrie Irving, and a role could be waiting for him on opening night.

Dallas' offseason focus on adding wing depth rather than bringing in another point guard could've been a vote of confidence in Sergio all along, and after two preseason games, the Mavs seem to have made the right bet. De Larrea has started his NBA career off with two strong preseason performances, and anyone who doubted that he was ready for NBA minutes has been silenced.

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