Mavs Summer League: Who Showed Up, Who Let Down, & Who Gets a 2nd Chance?

The Dallas Mavericks got a chance to showcase their young guys in both the Orlando and Vegas Summer leagues these past few weeks, and there were some intriguing players coming out of nowhere around both of these leagues. Las Vegas is definitely the more competitive of the two, with big names like Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, and Kris Dunn getting their chances to shine, but Dallas had a few players shine a little bit also.

Dallas' Summer League team wasn't filled with guys they actually drafted, unlike most teams that actually utilize the draft (we're getting better at it), but instead, un-drafted youngsters and guys that have been overseas looking for another shot in the NBA. Take a look at the roster Dallas put together for the 6 games they played in Vegas.

The only three of fourteen guys drafted by Dallas on that list are Justin Anderson in the first round of the 2015 draft, AJ Hammons in the second round of this past draft, and, yes, Satnam Singh in last year's second round. Some of these names you know, and some I'm sure you don't, but learn a little bit more about the guys who showed up, let down, and who might have earned a second chance on the training camp roster with Dallas. 

Who Showed Up?

Justin Anderson

As expected by second year guys, Justin Anderson pretty much dominated the Summer League in the games that he played. In 5 games, Anderson scored 16 points, dished out 3 assists, and pulled down 7 boards per game. He had the ball in his hands a lot more than he would in an actual NBA game, playing a point forward type role. His drives to the basket looked a bit sloppy from time to time, as he turned the ball over almost 3 times each game. Simba shot 33% from behind the line, which is very good, but the best thing about Anderson's shooting was the fact that he extended his range and took shots from deeper than normal. His defense was well above average and, lucky for him, Anderson won't be put in any situations this next season in which he will be forced to handle the ball as much as he did in the Summer League. Simba showed promise, and he may just end up being Dallas' best draft pick since Josh Howard.

Jonathan Gibson

Perhaps the most impressive member of Dallas' Summer League team, Jonathan Gibson earned himself a training camp roster spot. Gibson is 28 years old and has spent the last 6 years playing in Turkey, Israel, Italy, and China since going un-drafted in 2010, after 4 seasons at New Mexico State. Last season in China, Gibson averaged 5 assists per game, shot  41% from 3, pulled down 7 boards, and scored 42 points per game. I swear I typed that right and you read that right, 42 points was his average. Gibson is only 6'2, but he played a lot of off ball guard in the Summer League, and would likely fill that third string role for Dallas as well. In the Summer League, Gibson averaged 17 points per game and shot 46% from three. He was a microwave type scorer as he proved that he could heat up in a hurry and hit a three from just about anywhere. Dallas signed the shooter to a 3 year, partially guaranteed deal, and he will be fighting for a regular season roster spot in training camp. He was the surprise of the summer and deserves a spot somewhere in the NBA. 

Jameel Warney

The 6'8 un-drafted rookie power forward from Stony Brook really showed that he might have deserved to be a second round pick in this summer's draft. In his senior season, Warney averaged nearly 20 points and 11 rebounds per game. He's a long, athletic power forward that could play a small center position if needed. With Dallas, Warney put up 7 points and pulled down 7 boards per game, while swatting a shot and forcing one turnover per game. At only 22 years old, Warney has a lot of upside, especially with his high basketball IQ. Warney has reportedly received a partially guaranteed offer to play for a spot on the roster in Dallas' training camp, but he is currently weighing offers with guaranteed money in China. Dallas picked up Quincy Acy, who will fill in that third power forward slot, but Warney would offer Dallas even more security there, while bringing some youth and versatility as he can slide to the 5 slot as well. PS: That Quincy Acy move should prove huge for the Mavericks. 

Who Let Down?

Dorian Finney-Smith

Yeah, so, before the Vegas league started, Dallas signed the 6'8, 3-&-D small forward/power forward to a partially guaranteed 3 year deal, like Gibson's. They probably should have waited to see him in Vegas before giving him a training camp spot. Playing in all 6 games, Finney-Smith averaged 3 points (yikes), 4 rebounds (meh), and shot 23% from three (ew). Even if Finney-Smith does end up making the regular season roster, he's going to spend a lot time in the D-League, but if he does get cut from the team after the preseason, he'll likely end up with the Legends. Dorian went un-drafted, and was a really great player at Florida, but he didn't show up in the Summer League. Hopefully he can give the team something to fall in love with in the preseason. 

AJ Hammons

Dallas was praised around the league for getting a steal in AJ Hammons at the 46th overall pick. Hammons didn't play bad, but he just didn't quite live up to the "steal" hype. The reason Hammons fell so far was because scouts noticed that he didn't alway give 100% on the court. He definitely played with high energy in the Summer League, but he just didn't quite produce as much as we all hoped. AJ scored 5 points and grabbed 4 rebounds per game, shooting just under 50 percent. Like I said, he didn't play bad, it was just average. The Mavs believe in AJ and gave him a three year deal to prove it, more than the average second rounder. Like most rookies in Carlisle's systems, Hammons is going to be playing with the Legends a lot this season. He's going to have to put up bigger numbers than 5 and 4 in the D-League if he wants to live up to the hype of being a steal in the NBA. 

Who Gets a Second Chance?

Just for context here, these guys are those that don't have any kind of contract lined up with Dallas yet, but should get another look either in training camp or a chance with the Texas Legends. 

Vander Blue 

Probably the coolest name on the roster, Vander Blue got a chance to play in both the Orlando and Las Vegas Summer league for Dallas. Blue played in three games with the Boston Celtics back in 2013-14, then started a game and played in two with the Lakers in the 2014-15 season. In the game in which he started, Blue played 48 minutes (!!!), scored 15 points, grabbed 7 boards, and dished out 8 assists. Remember, that's NBA, not D-League stats. But, Blue played in the D-League last year and absolutely killed it. With the LA D-Fenders, Blue scored 26.3 points per game, grabbed 5 rebounds per game, and made 3.4 assists happen per game. Blue can play anywhere from the 1 to the 3 slot, but he's much better with the ball in his hands. Blue's numbers were similar to what he did in the D-League in the Vegas league, which is why I want to see him get a shot. I believe that if it weren't for Dallas already having Williams, Barea, Harris, Gibson, Wes, and Curry, Blue would already have a partially guaranteed three year deal. 

Perry Ellis

Perry Ellis was a cornerstone in his 45 years at Kansas (sorry had to). But really, Perry Ellis was an incredible talent in college and would have been an easy draft pick if it weren't for him being a senior. I was extremely excited when Dallas picked him up to play in the Summer League, but they just didn't give him much time to play. In the two games where he logged double digit minutes (16 & 23), Ellis really produced. He scored 10 points per game and pulled down 6 boards in those two games combined. He's a smart basketball player and played at a big name college, two things that Carlisle loves. He should get a look in training camp, but will likely be in the D-League a lot no matter what. He could end up being a solid player for someone, somewhere. 

In case you were wondering, here is Dallas' current depth:

PG: Deron Williams | JJ Barea | Devin Harris 

SG: Wesley Matthews | Seth Curry | Jonathan Gibson

SF: Harrison Barnes | Justin Anderson | Nicolas Brussino

PF: Dirk Nowitzki | Dwight Powell | Quincy Acy | Dorian Finney-Smith

C: Andrew Bogut | Salah Mejri | AJ Hammons

That leaves 4 spots in training camp. One free agent that should 100% make the team, but likely wouldn't take a minimum contract that I want Dallas to look at is Gerald Green. Assuming  the last 4 spots in training camp go to young guys, I would really like to see Ellis and Blue get a shot. Rodrigue Beaubois already has an offer to join training camp apparently, but, like Warney, he's fielding guaranteed money in China. If the last 4 spots go to Warney, Roddy B, Blue, and Perry Ellis, it's going to be a very competitive preseason to make the final 15. Get excited Mavs fans.