Mavericks pulled off the heist of the summer — and Summer League just proved it

The Dallas Mavericks won their first Summer League game on Thursday, as they beat the Los Angeles Lakers 87-85. The main story was the matchup between Cooper Flagg and Bronny James. The two future stars put on a show, dazzling with high-class dunks and athletic shot-making. Flagg finished the game with 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists. His main struggle was from the 3-point line, as he went 0-5.

Flagg's summer teammate Ryan Nembhard stole the show, though. He led all Mavs' scorers with 21 points and shot 57 percent from the field. He made his shot attempts look easy, as he was crafty in the way he scored. Newbhard also showed a lot of quickness and was aggressive in his style of play. This is something Dallas will need, as Kyrie Irving will be out for an extended period with a torn ACL.

Nembhard's 3-point shooting also stole the show. He finished the game shooting 50 percent from long range, including converting a crucial 3-point shot with 1:03 left to play in the fourth quarter. This is something Mavs fans are excited to see. Nembhard struggled with his 3-point shot during his junior year at Gonzaga, but took a major leap in his senior year. So, his long-range shooting will be key for him next season.

Ryan Nembhard's summer debut showed that Dallas made perfect call

So, it's clear Dallas got the steal of the summer when it came to Nembhard. ESPN predicted him to get selected in the second round of the NBA Draft, but that wasn't the case. Dallas signed him to a two-way contract after he went undrafted. It's a move that deeply favors the Mavs, as Nembhard gives them an extra body at the backcourt position.

Dallas is currently loaded at the point guard position. The team signed D'Angelo Russell to help replace Irving's production and give them an experienced veteran. He is expected to be the team's starting point guard.

Dante Exum and Brandon Williams will back up Russell. Dallas re-signed Exum in hopes that he would continue to help the team flourish. He is a great defender who can also get to the rim. Exum is an established veteran who understands the team's playbook. He is also a great ball handler who can create different opportunities for teammates.

Brandon Williams, on the other hand, shone towards the end of the season. He showed great poise and determination in his short time with Dallas. Williams' minutes per game improved in March after Irving went down. He averaged 16.6 points per game in March and scored a season-high 31 points against the Memphis Grizzlies. Williams' great play earned him a multi-year contract.

This is something Nembhard hopes works for him. His summer league debut showcased his skill set and athleticism on the court. He has a nasty mid-range game and is a savvy defender who can easily pickpocket scorers. Basically, Nembhard is a two-way player who easily fits the Mavs' system.

If Nembhard can continue performing at an elite level, it's possible he could earn a standard contract on the Mavs' roster. Dallas will need all the guards they can get, as they have no timetable when Irving will return. So, it's easy to see him make an immediate impact, just like he did in his summer debut.

Plus, Nembhard can form a dynamic relationship with Flagg. The two players hit it off at practice, and this is something fans hope extends into the summer. They showed a glimpse of their work together Thursday when Flagg passed the ball to Nembhard for the game-winning 3-pointer. If they can continue working on their relationship, then Nembhard may join Flagg on the team.

So, while some experts had Nembhard getting drafted in the second round, the ball once again fell into the Mavs' lap. This might be another lucky opportunity to grace the team. This is a similar situation to when Dallas drafted Luka Doncic and followed it up with selecting Jalen Brunson. Although Brunson wasn't undrafted, this storyline has the potential to repeat itself with Flagg and Nembhard.

Nembhard's ceiling will only continue to rise, as many other opportunities/comparisons will continue to come up. He has another chance to put on a show Saturday when the Dallas Mavericks take on Dylan Harper (if he plays) and the San Antonio Spurs. So until then, it's obvious Nembhard is here to play, and fans can't wait until he steps onto the court again.