Mavericks could face controversial cut-throat moves if summer surge continues

Even though Cooper Flagg stole the show for the Dallas Mavericks at NBA Summer League and put the league on notice, he wasn't the only rookie for Dallas who proved that they can be an impact player on day one.

Both Ryan Nembhard and Miles Kelly had some incredible moments while out in Las Vegas, and if their strong Summer League performances carry into the 2025-26 season, Jason Kidd and Nico Harrison could have some controversial decisions to make when it comes to the rotation for Kidd, and potentially the roster for Harrison.

Kelly and Nembhard are on two-way deals, meaning that they can each suit up for 50 games while also being allowed to play in the G League for the Texas Legends, and both players are going to be in the perfect spot to succeed as rookies.

Nembhard and Kelly could force some brutal benchings or even trades

While in Vegas, Nembhard proved that he should've been drafted, as he dominated in the three games he played in. In his first game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Nembhard finished with 21 points, five assists, and one steal while shooting 8-14 from the field and 1-2 from downtown.

His biggest play of the game was a go-ahead 3-pointer from the wing with just over one minute remaining, and he looked like one of the most poised rookies at Summer League. He was never afraid of the moment, and his ability to make reads at the second and third levels is unheard of for a rookie.

Nembhard seemingly always makes the right play, and he has proven his doubters wrong before even playing a single NBA game. The Mavericks shutting Nembhard down after three games shows exactly how they feel about him, as they didn't think he needed to prove anything else, and he could put some players on the bench in a tough position if he exceeds expectations even more and turns into someone who plays every night.

If Nembhard becomes a staple of the rotation, guards like Dante Exum, Brandon Williams, and Jaden Hardy could see their minutes go down. Before stepping foot onto an NBA floor, Nembhard may already be the best passer in this group, and if Exum, Williams, or Hardy struggle, they could be shipped elsewhere at the trade deadline to create a standard roster spot for Nembhard.

The same could be said about Kelly, as his shooting was phenomenal in Vegas, and he flashed the ability to be a solid 3-and-D wing who can also put the ball on the deck when needed. Kelly's confidence stretches far beyond the 3-point line, and with the Mavs' belief in their double-big lineups, they are going to need plenty of shooting around Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford.

It seems like Kelly's road to a real spot in the rotation is going to be much harder than Nembhard's, but he still has a chance to force Kidd and Harrison into a tough spot if he continues to excel in his minutes. The Mavericks need another knockdown 3-point specialist on the wing, as Klay Thompson and Max Christie can only do so much, and Kelly proving that he has what it takes to be in Kidd's normal rotation would be a dream come true for Dallas.

From what we saw at Summer League, it seems like the Mavericks struck gold with all three of their rookies, and all three of them have what it takes to be a great fit in Dallas, on and off the floor. Harrison values Mavericks culture highly, and Nembhard, Flagg, and Kelly embody that.

Positive progression as rookies could lead to Nembhard and or Kelly becoming fan favorites in Dallas, potentially earning a spot on the 15-man roster. This would be a tough spot for Harrison and the Mavericks to be in, as they would be forced to get rid of someone to make room for them, and even though that may seem controversial at first, it could be all worth it in the end.