Mavericks’ latest benching raises troubling Tyler Smith question

In the Dallas Mavericks' last Summer League game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Tyler Smith, one of their three two-way players, was benched. Mavericks fans were initially surprised by the move, as Smith was one of three players on this year's Summer League team who finished last season with Dallas, joining John Poulakidas and Ryan Nembhard. Both players have started in every game that they've played in.

Mavs Summer League head coach Joe Boylan did not play him against Memphis after he played just 28 minutes combined in the previous two games, and Smith's limited role in Las Vegas raises a troubling question: Is the third-year wing still in Dallas’ long-term plans as they continue building around Cooper Flagg?

Tyler Smith's Summer League hasn't been as productive as expected

Before Summer League began, the third-year wing was expected to be in the starting lineup, sources briefed The Smoking Cuban. Summer League was supposed to be the perfect chance for Smith to prove his value to Mike Schmitz and Masai Ujiri ahead of his first full season with the team. However, before the first game, he was removed from the starting lineup.

Since losing his starting spot, Smith has come off the bench in both Summer League games he has played. He was pulled from the starting lineup before the first game last week due to missing a film session, multiple sources told The Smoking Cuban.

The Mavericks signed Smith to a two-year, two-way deal toward the end of last season, and he played in 13 games. He averaged 4.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game for Dallas while shooting 42 percent from the field. Smith capped the season off with a 20-point game against the Chicago Bulls in the final game of the season, showcasing how impactful he can be when given an expanded role, but his Summer League performance hasn’t been as dynamic.

He finished with seven points and one steal in 10 minutes in the opening game of Summer League against the Golden State Warriors while shooting 2-for-5 from the field and 1-for-5 from three. Smith followed this up with a nine-point performance in 18 minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers. His role has been limited through the first week of Summer League, and after Smith didn't touch the floor in Dallas' last game, his future with Dallas suddenly seems less certain.

Summer League was supposed to be a great opportunity for Smith

He needs to be getting as many minutes as possible for Ujiri and Schmitz to gauge whether they want to keep him on a two-way deal or not heading into next season. With how easy two-way deals are to maneuver, the Mavericks could easily get out of his contract if they choose to do so.

But if they do decide to hold onto him, Smith has some valuable skills that could contribute to Dallas' stacked frontcourt. He is skilled for a 6-foot-9 forward, and when he's knocking down shots, he's extremely dangerous. Mavericks fans learned this at the end of last season when he was part of the rotation, and with how poorly Dallas shot from long range, they need as much shooting as they can get.

Smith also provides defensive versatility, and since he's only 21 years old, he has plenty of room to grow. Dallas has to figure out whether they believe Smith is someone they want in their young core alongside Flagg, or whether his valuable two-way spot would be better used on someone else.

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