3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' Summer League opener loss against Jazz

On Saturday night, the Dallas Mavericks tipped off their first of four guaranteed Summer League games which will all take place in Las Vegas. Many fans have anticipated that Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Brandon Williams could headline this year's Summer League roster. They both have something to prove if they wish to crack next year's rotation.

With the Mavericks being thin around the power forward spot, many eyes will be on Prosper to see what he can do in his second Summer League. Mavericks Summer League head coach Jared Dudley hinted at the possibility of Prosper being a focal point of the Mavericks Summer League roster by guarding the opposing team's best players and getting the opportunity to control the offense.

While Prosper has a guaranteed spot for next year, AJ Lawson's future in a Mavericks uniform looks uncertain after the team's recent moves and their rumored interest. Lawson will need to prove a lot over these next few weeks if he wishes to remain in Dallas and as a potential piece with the team looking to return to the Finals.

3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' Summer League opener loss against Jazz

With this year's Summer League roster being headlined by many current Mavs, newly drafted rookie Melvin Ajinca may have the most to prove over these next two weeks. Ajinca was selected in the second round after the Mavericks traded up to get the French forward but with one roster spot open, Dallas may look to give Ajinca the final spot if he can play up to par during the Summer League.

Despite all the hype surrounding this year's Dallas Summer League squad, they failed to get an opening night win against a stacked Utah Jazz squad, the Mavericks would drop their first of four guaranteed games 90-89 after a hard-fought four quarters.

Here are three studs and two duds from the Mavericks' first Summer League loss to the Jazz.

5. Stud - Jamarion Sharp

When the Dallas Mavericks announced their Summer League roster a few weeks ago, many fans were surprised when they saw 7-foot-5 Jamarion Sharp on their roster. Like many lanky centers, Sharp is an excellent shot blocker which is maybe why Dallas signed the big man to their Vegas roster for the summer.

Sharp would go on to average four blocks at the collegiate level and against the Utah Jazz many were exposed to just how good the lengthy shot blocker can be. Sharp recorded four blocks for Dallas while being a lockdown defender in the paint against multiple Utah drive attempts.

While Sharp could have looked cleaner on the offensive end, he did snag many second-chance boards, which Dallas used to get out to a sizable lead in the third quarter. Sharp will undoubtedly man the five spot for Dallas and could be a potential candidate for one of the Mavericks' two-way roster spots if he showcases what he can do on both ends.

With this going down to the final seconds, Sharp became an intricate piece for the Mavericks as they tried to come back in the fourth quarter. Many fans will keep a close eye on Sharp for the Mavericks' second Summer league game.

4. Dud - Alex Fudge

Alex Fudge was a mid-season addition from the Los Angeles Lakers after the Mavericks signed AJ Lawson to a multi-year deal at the beginning of March. Unfortunately for Fudge, he didn't get to see much action in his first season in a Dallas uniform due to the team getting hot after the February All-Star break.

Despite not seeing much action at the NBA level, Fudge was a welcomed sight when he was announced on the Summer League roster. Fudge would not only be one of the highlighted names fans would tune in to see, but the 3-and-D product would need to produce on the court to get another two-way deal in Dallas.

Through one game, Fudge looked rusty and out of shape after playing very few minutes in his bench role. Fudge only recorded 14 minutes on the floor, and in his 14 minutes, he failed to get many good looks at the basket. The 3-and-D product only managed to score five points with a made three-pointer at the beginning of the third quarter.

While Fudge didn't have a terrible game, fans expected more with a potential final roster spot on the line.

As the Mavericks prepare for their second Summer League game, it would be shocking to see another Fudge performance where he looks hesitant to touch the ball. Hopefully, fans will see more of the former Laker and what he can potentially bring to an NBA court.

3. Stud - Brandon Williams

Many didn't know who Brandon Williams was when he signed a two-way deal with Dallas in December of last season. Now, the shifty guard will get another shot at making a name for himself as he has just signed another two-way deal with the Mavericks and will be headlining this season's Summer League squad.

In one game, Williams showcased why he should be a household name with his dynamic scoring and ability to easily get inside the paint to score easy buckets. Williams constantly made it difficult for Jazz defenders to stay close on his hip with his speedy escape dribbles and constant threat to score at any given moment.

While it was only one game, Williams may have proven why he could be the best two-way signing in the league. Williams finished the night off with 21 points on uber-efficient scoring splits.

Coming into the league many scouts knew Williams could score with ease but he couldn't defend, which is why he went undrafted in 2021. After one Summer League game in a Mavericks uniform, Williams showcased how he could become a plus defender with his ability to hawk down passes in passing lanes. Williams finished his night with two incredible steals that helped the Mavericks get out to multiple big leads throughout the game.

Williams will still need to prove a lot despite signing an early two-way deal with the Mavericks. Through one Summer League game, Williams has proven he belongs in the league, but can he continue to produce as the number one scorer?

2. Dud - Olivier Maxence-Prosper

After Jared Dudley announced that Olivier-Maxence Prosper would get a big role in the Mavericks Summer League, many fans expected to see the 6-foot-7 Canadian forward taking shot after shot in the offensive system. While Prosper did have a good game getting to the foul line, he failed to make a real impact on the offensive end.

Prosper finished his night with 11 points and six rebounds but on 2-11 shooting splits, the Canadian will need to show more in the consistency department.

Despite struggling on the offensive end of the floor, Prosper shined on the defensive end with his two steals. Prosper would be a constant pest on some of Utah's best scorers like Cody Williams and Isaiah Collier.

Many expected Prosper to leap this coming season by guarding some of the opposing team's best scores and while Prosper didn't have the best game on the offensive end, he did prove a lot on defense. As the Mavericks prepare for their second Summer League game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Prosper will need to work on his outside jumper and ability to penetrate the paint.

With the Mavericks being thin around the power forward spot, Prosper could be a potential candidate to fill a much-needed bench role. With three more guaranteed games, Prosper will need to prove to the Mavericks coaching staff he has what it takes to step into a needed role in year two.

1. Stud - Melvin Ajinca

It was no shock to fans when they saw newly drafted forward Melvin Ajinca on the Summer League roster. However, it was a shock to many when they witnessed what Ajinca could potentially bring to an NBA floor.

Through one game, the French product whizzed around the floor and dazzled in just about every category that is needed to win basketball games. Ajinca started his scoring with multiple drives to the baskets which resulted in athletic finishes at the rim. Ajinca would also cap off a great night on the offensive end by making a deep three from behind the arc.

Before draft night, Ajinca wasn't looked at as an elite offensive talent, which is why many fans were shocked when they saw the potential that the French forward could bring to Dallas.

While Ajinca wasn't scouted to be an elite offensive threat, he proved he could belong in an NBA system with his constant cuts and movements around the perimeter. To add more icing on the cake, Ajinca's dribble package gave him constant open looks in the mid-range, it's just a matter of draining the shot now.

While this may be an overreaction, Ajinca has become a prime candidate to take the last Mavericks roster spot. After Dallas selected the French standout with the 51 pick in the 2024 draft, many expected Ajinca to be a draft-and-stash guy after the offseason. However, through one game of Summer League play, Ajinca may have proven enough to spend the season in Dallas.

Defensively, the French product dazzled with a steal and a block. Ajinca constantly guarded Utah's best perimeter player and despite Cody Williams scoring 21 points on the Mavericks defense, Ajinca had a near-perfect night on the defensive end.

With three more guaranteed games left in Las Vegas, Ajinca will need to continue fighting for the potential to be in Dallas for the next calendar year.