3 Interesting storylines to watch in Mavericks Summer League game vs. 76ers

Heading into the offseason, the Dallas Mavericks' goal was to improve their team around Luka Doncic following a disappointing end to this past season which saw them miss out on the Play-In Tournament.

They addressed some needs in free agency, adding Seth Curry and Dante Exum, and they also made a trade for Grant Williams. And in the draft, they selected two solid pieces, too.

Dallas drafted big man Dereck Lively II with the 12th pick and then traded back into the first round to pick up Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Both players are oozing with defensive potential.

For the Mavericks and their fans, Summer League will provide the perfect opportunity to take a close look at these youngsters and evaluate just how well they will fit next to Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

3 Interesting storylines to watch in Mavericks Summer League game vs. 76ers

Plus, all the other players on Dallas’ Summer League roster are getting a chance to show off their skills, too, which could lead to some intriguing options for the Mavericks to consider.

The Mavericks lost their first Summer League game to the Oklahoma City Thunder, as Chet Holmgren and rookie Cason Wallace dominated, wiping the floor with Dallas by the end of the game.

But Summer League is less about wins and losses and more about development. And for Lively, Prosper, and the rest of the squad, that will be crucial heading into the year.

Dallas’ second Summer League game is tonight (Monday, July 10) against the Philadelphia 76ers, so let’s take a look at the three top storylines fans should be paying attention to throughout the game.

1. Dereck Lively II’s offense

Throughout his one year at Duke, Dereck Lively II had a solid season, but it wasn’t the typical performance many would expect to see from a lottery pick in the draft.

His stats don’t jump off the page, as he averaged just 5.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per contest. The reason he was drafted as high as he was is because of his elite athleticism and defense.

Lively put up 2.4 blocks per game in his limited playing time, which translates to 4.7 blocks per 40 minutes. With how poor the Dallas Mavericks’ defense was last season, particularly at the center spot, his defense will be crucial.

But in order to become the go-to starter for Dallas, Lively will also need to develop an offensive game. Luckily for him, that will only require him to do a few key things.

One, Lively needs to be able to run the pick-n-roll. Two, he should be able to get buckets off offensive rebounds, scoring against opposing centers after grabbing a board. And three, cutting to the rim effectively and catching lobs.

With Luka Doncic playing next to him, this should be a breeze, but Summer League should give him the chance to test this out with some non-superstar playmakers.

Look for Lively to form connections with guys like Jaden Hardy and McKinley Wright IV as he attempts to find his footing on the offensive end of the court.

2. Brandon Randolph’s impact

This may be a cop-out, as it’s a very general concept to be watching for, but with the performance Brandon Randolph had in the Dallas Mavericks’ first Summer League game, he’s worthy of some eyes.

The 25-year-old came off the bench for the Mavericks’ in their first Summer League squad, earning a spot on the roster after spending this past year with the Austin Spurs in the G League.

He played 21:02 off the pine - the second-most minutes of anyone on the bench - and did a little bit of everything for Dallas, despite not getting the most hype heading into the game.

Randolph finished the game with 10 points, three rebounds, one assist, and two steals while shooting 3-of-9 from the field and 1-of-5 from behind the three-point line.

Obviously, his efficiency wasn’t great against the Thunder, but he was super active. He was able to sprint out in transition, giving the Mavericks options on the run, and he even hit a corner three.

At 6-foot-6, he has good size at the wing position, and if he can continue to play with the same energy as he showed in the first game, he could be worth of at least a place in Dallas’ G League program.

And if he hits some more of his three-point shots, he could even be looking at consideration for a two-way spot.

3. AJ Lawson’s three-point shot

In the Dallas Mavericks’ first Summer League game, AJ Lawson might have been the most energetic player on the floor. With every motion, it looked as though he was being shot out of a cannon.

For the Mavericks, that’s the exact sort of player they should be looking to employ. Hustle guys who can make an impact on the defensive end should top their list of priorities.

Lawson ended the game with 11 points, four rebounds, one assist, and three steals while shooting 4-of-9 from the floor. However, he shot just 1-of-5 from behind the three-point line.

He played in 15 total NBA games this past season, appearing in one for the Minnesota Timberwolves before moving on and playing in 14 with the Mavericks.

However, the G League was where Lawson truly made his mark. While he only appeared in nine games for the Texas Legends, Lawson looked great, averaging 20.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 steals on 48.2% shooting from the field. Again, though, he shot just 32.8% from deep.

If Lawson can begin to develop even an average three-point shot, he will have the skillset to not only dominate Summer League but contribute to the Mavericks on the NBA level.

He has the defense, he has the hustle, he has the athleticism, and he has the scoring ability. All he needs is a consistent three-point shot.