The Dallas Mavericks recently concluded their NBA Summer League slate against the New York Knicks at the Thomas & Mack Center on Friday. The NBA’s Summer League served as a testing ground for the Mavericks, who are rebuilding around the reigning Rookie of the Year, Cooper Flagg. Here are the Mavericks’ possible next steps after the NBA Summer League.
In Case You Missed It
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the New York Knicks 110-88 in Friday’s NBA Summer League consolation game. Tyler Smith led the Mavericks with 21 points, four rebounds, and one assist, while Pacome Dadiet led the Knicks with 19 points, five rebounds, and one assist.
The Mavs nailed 18 three-pointers, and five of the team’s players scored at least 15 points. The Knicks took a 23-16 lead after the first quarter, but the Mavs’ 10-4 run in the second quarter led to a 41-41 tie at the end of the first half. The Mavs followed up with a 35-point third quarter to put the game out of reach for the Knicks. The Mavs’ bench outscored the Knicks’ bench 62-40.
The Knicks finished their Summer League slate with a 1-4 record. The Knicks’ core remains intact, but the bench depth, shooting consistency, and role player development are flaws that the team might want to address as soon as possible. Tyler Nickel appears to be the team’s most promising NBA prospect, thanks to his lights-out shooting with a lightning-quick release.
Mavericks’ Possible Next Steps
The Mavericks finished the Summer League with a 3-2 record and a three-game winning streak. The Mavs shot 46% from the three-point line, an accomplishment that clearly shows improvement in both spacing and efficiency. The Mavs’ top players were Morez Johnson Jr., Sergio de Larrea, Tobi Lawal, Vsevolod Ishchenko, Ryan Nembhard, and John Poulakidas.
The Mavs will use the Summer League results to decide which players stay on the two-way and NBA rosters, respectively. Poulakidas, 23, and Smith, 21, arguably have strong cases as candidates for standard contracts.
The Mavs reportedly expected Flagg, 19, to be a long-term franchise player, while waiting for veteran star Kyrie Irving’s return to the court. Irving, 34, suffered a torn ACL in his left knee on March 3, 2025, which ultimately required surgery.
The Mavs’ possible next steps include strengthening their roster, finalizing contracts, and preparing for upcoming training camp, preseason, and regular season games. The Mavs can continue to benefit from balanced scoring, improved shooting, and strong bench contributions.
Mavericks’ Potential Outlook
The Mavericks’ potential outlook entering the 2026-27 NBA regular season appears to be optimistic. The Mavs would enter the season with a mix of veteran depth, high-ceiling young talent, and a roster in flux due to an avalanche of offseason moves.
The Mavs are currently in a rebuilding phase with championship aspirations — a possibility out of reach on paper but possible with improved chemistry, injury management, and role players. If so, Dallas can compete in a competitive Western Conference. But, until then, a more realistic goal would be for Dallas to establish itself as a playoff contender in the next few years.
The Mavs’ restricted free agent Moussa Cisse reportedly agreed to a two-year offer sheet with the Knicks on Saturday. However, Dallas has until Monday to decide whether or not to match Cisse’s offer sheet. No financial details have been revealed to the public yet.
Cisse, 23, split his rookie season between the Mavs and their NBA G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, in 2025-26. He averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game across 38 NBA games. He averaged 14.8 points and 13.3 rebounds per game across 16 NBA G League games. His elite rebounding and rim protection skills help him stand out.
