Mavericks could complete shocking Lakers reunion with sneaky final signing

Less than a week after the NBA Summer League concluded, the Dallas Mavericks still have one roster spot ahead of training camp beginning in a few months, and former Los Angeles Laker Maxwell Lewis proved that he deserves to be in the conversation for this final two-way spot with a strong finish to Summer League.

In his final two Summer League games against the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic, Lewis averaged 20.5 points per game while shooting 56.7 percent from the field and 58.3 percent from downtown. Lewis' offensive game looked much smoother in the final two games compared to the rest of Summer League, and the Mavericks signing him would reunite him with three former Lakers, Anthony Davis, D'Angelo Russell, and Max Christie.

Lewis spent time with Davis and Russell as teammates for the Lakers, and the Mavericks signing Lewis to their final two-way spot would add another name to a long list of Lakers connections within their organization.

Maxwell Lewis could become Mavericks' newest ex-Laker signing

Dallas' roster includes former Lakers players, including Davis, Russell, and Christie, and their coaching staff includes multiple former Lakers coaches, like Jason Kidd, Phil Handy, Frank Vogel, and Mike Penberthy. The Mavericks just continue to add former Lakers to their roster and coaching staff, and Lewis would be joining some familiar faces if he signs with the Mavericks at some point before the regular season begins.

After Dallas' game against the Sixers last Wednesday, Lewis talked about his familiarity with several current Mavericks, including Russell and Davis, and he believes that he would be an outstanding fit alongside those two.

"I think I'll fit in great," Lewis said when asked about the potential of being a Maverick. "I played on the same team as Anthony Davis. I played on the court with DLo (D'Angelo Russell). They play really good basketball, and I think I'll fit in really well. It's God's plan. Whatever happens, happens."

Lewis stated that his improved play over the final stretch of Summer League came due to him not thinking as much and just playing his game, and this was clear to anyone watching. Over his first few games in Las Vegas, his offensive moves seemed predetermined, and he wasn't letting the game come to him. His jumper also looked shaky, but Lewis remained hard at work on his shot during Dallas' off-days and late at night in the gym.

This extra work paid off majorly for him, as he was a flamethrower from downtown in the last two games, and he was playing with much more confidence. Lewis was using his size and length to finish over the defense inside, knocking down threes at a high rate, and attacking the rim with purpose, and he showed that he has what it takes to remain in the NBA next season. Mavs Summer League head coach Josh Broghamer noticed the progress Lewis made while in Vegas, and spoke glowingly of him after Dallas' game against Philadelphia.

"Each game, he's gotten a little bit more comfortable doing what he does," Broghamer said of Lewis. "Like tonight, being aggressive with his shot, looking to attack early is something we've preached to him, and he did a really good job...He wasn't just sitting back, letting guys create for him. He was being aggressive with the ball. I think that's something he can do in this league."

Broghamer later complimented Lewis' offensive versatility, and even teased the possibility of him expanding his game to one day become a secondary ball handler. The Mavericks love players who can grab rebounds and push the ball in transition themselves, and if Lewis improves in this area, he will be right back where he was last season and where he deserves to be.

In the NBA.

Last season, Lewis spent time with the Brooklyn Nets and Lakers, and he is eager to prove that he belongs in the league. Time will tell whether that'll be in Dallas or elsewhere, but if he can continue to evolve his game like Broghamer and the rest of the coaching staff want to, he has a strong shot at being the fourth former Laker on the roster alongside Russell, Christie, and Davis.