Dusty May can't keep Sergio De Larrea out of Mavericks' rotation any longer

Dallas Mavericks fans have loved Sergio De Larrea's game since NBA Summer League in July. The Mavericks rookie quickly proved he was an elite passer, showing strong chemistry with the big men on the Summer League roster, and he looked even more impressive during preseason.

De Larrea dazzled with his 3-point shooting off the catch after struggling as a shooter in Summer League, and he proved he can make a major impact during the regular season on Saturday night in the home opener against the San Antonio Spurs. While the Mavericks lost this game 122-106, Larry proved that he deserves to be part of Dusty May's rotation, showing that the team's backcourt depth behind Kyrie Irving may not be as thin as expected.

Sergio De Larrea needs to play real minutes after strong home debut

De Larrea finished with 21 points, five rebounds, and four assists while shooting 9-for-15 from the field and 3-for-4 from downtown. Sergio's breakout game came after he played just eight minutes over the first two games, and his performance for the short-handed Mavericks proved that May needs to play him real minutes moving forward.

The Spanish rookie was getting to the paint with ease, as his floater was automatic in this game. He was playing at his own pace, finishing off either leg depending on where his defender was, and playing with a confidence that is usually hard to find from a first-year player. De Larrea even drained a floater over Victor Wembanyama, which is obviously a major accomplishment given that he's on pace to be one of the greatest defenders of all time at 7-foot-4.

De Larrea's passing and shooting make him a rotation staple

Larry started this game with some floaters, but he made some big shots as well. Mavericks fans already knew that he's very comfortable as a shooter off the catch after watching him during preseason, but he showed some off-the-dribble shooting in this one. His shot is smooth, and he remains confident when defenders are closing out on him despite not having the fastest release.

He also got his teammates involved, including a no-look lob to Daniel Gafford in transition, and his passing is what separates him from the rest of the Mavs' guards off the bench. Sergio showcased his ability to play on and off the ball, score off the dribble, and knock down open shots against San Antonio, and there's no reason that May keeps him out of the rotation any longer, even when they're fully healthy.

De Larrea has outshined Max Christie thus far

The Mavericks were without Cooper Flagg and Kyrie against the Spurs, giving De Larrea a natural chance to play extended minutes, but he's too talented to not be playing on a nightly basis. His on-ball creation is much stronger than Max Christie's, and Max has struggled this season, averaging 8.0 points per game and shooting 23.5 percent from beyond the arc in 30.7 minutes per game.

De Larrea's game against the Spurs was better than any game Christie has had so far this season, and we could even see Sergio claim a starting spot later on if he continues to play like this. His defensive fit with Irving would be a concern, despite May saying that Larry's defense has improved after the game, but having multiple creators on the floor at once would help the offense.

De Larrea's versatility helps him fit alongside Dallas' other guards

De Larrea played a decent amount with Marcus Sasser on Saturday, and if he can share the court with Sasser, he can share the court with Kyrie.

Considering Dallas' need for more shooting and shot creation, De Larrea should be a normal piece in May's rotation. He proved that he can create his own shot and attack closeouts, and the spacing he provides with his consistent jumper opens up the floor for everyone else. De Larrea already looks like one of the most consistent shooters on the team, and he's someone that May should play in nearly every game to prioritize his growth and winning at the same time.

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