Mavericks’ last-minute Summer League winner all but locks up final roster spot

The Dallas Mavericks officially concluded their 2025 NBA Summer League experience after beating the Orlando Magic 92-69 on Friday afternoon, as Dallas finishes Summer League with a 2-3 record. With Cooper Flagg and Ryan Nembhard both being shut down after two and three games respectively, Dallas wasn't pining for a Summer League title or anything of the sort, as Dallas' main goal in these past two games has been to get an extended look at players like Jordan Hall, Maxwell Lewis, and Miles Kelly.

Lewis has easily been the most impressive player on the roster throughout the last two games, and being one of the only players on the roster with NBA experience already, these two games have put him in a prime position to earn Dallas' last two-way contract. Lewis is 6-foot-7 with a wiry frame, decent strength, and great athleticism, as he could one day become a versatile 3-and-D wing if he continues to hone in on the offensive side of his game.

Lewis had 23 points in Dallas' win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, and he followed this up with an uber-efficient 18 points on 7-10 shooting from the field in just 15 minutes of action. While Lewis's drives sometimes look a little herky-jerky, he has great touch around the rim and knocked down a few floaters in Summer League as well.

Mavericks should sign Maxwell Lewis to their final open roster spot

Lewis made a few tough 3-pointers toward the end of Summer League, and not all of them were catch-and-shoot shots, which hints at some potential improvement in that department after shooting just under 34 percent from deep in 62 career NBA games. If Lewis continues to develop his shooting, he's going to find a role with some team in this league, whether it's the Mavericks or not, as he has an idealistic build for the modern-day small forward/wing.

While Hall was an impressive passer and showcased some great shooting ability, he was never nearly as dynamic in his ability to get to the rim as Lewis, and Lewis is by far a better defender than him. No one else besides Hall or Lewis proved to deserve more than an Exhibit-10 deal, as Jamarion Sharp probably wasn't able to elevate to the level the Mavericks wanted to sign him to a two-way deal, unless they desperately are seeking another big on a roster that is already loaded with them.

Taking that into consideration, Lewis is easily the most worthy candidate in Dallas' current talent pool of getting the last two-way spot, and he proved the Mavericks should give him an E-10 deal at the absolute least. Even if Lewis just gets invited to training camp, it wouldn't be surprising for him to still snag the last two-way slot, and the Mavericks must do whatever they can to keep him in-house.

Obviously, Dallas could look across the league to sign another player to their last two-way slot, but there's something to be said for continuity and earning an opportunity, and Lewis certainly earned one with Dallas in Las Vegas this summer.