DALLAS - The Dallas Mavericks believe they have returned to being a must-watch team, a quick and lucky turnaround following last season's bizarre giveaway trade of Luka Doncic.
And Luka's new team, the haughty Los Angels Lakers?
They've viewed themseles as "must-watch'' since ... well, forever.
Suddenly this summer? They might both be right.
As prized No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg get comfy as a Mav, he will make his pro debut in the NBA Summer League, beginning July 10 in Las Vegas. Yes, the Mavericks' Summer League schedule is official, with Dallas slated for four interesting matchups in Vegas.
And Game 1 is ... you guessed it - must-watch.
First up, it's the highly-anticipated debut on July 10 that will be shown live on ESPN at 7 p.m. CT for fans to behold the matchup of Flagg and the Mavs against Bronny James and the Lakers.
Bronny, the son of NBA great LeBron, was on a two-way contract last season, getting most of his meaningful run as a rookie with the South Bay Lakers G League team. Los Angeles will also feature second-year player Dalton Knect, one of 2024's top prospects who carved a nice role into the rotation for JJ Redick's team last season.
Dallas' second game will come against the in-state rival San Antonio Spurs on July 12 at 3 p.m., also to be shown on ESPN. San Antonio drafted behind Dallas in this year's NBA draft, and after the Mavs picked the consensus top choice, the Spurs were happy to settle with crafty Rutgers guard Dylan Harper at No. 2 overall. The Spurs also picked on the edge of the lottery at No. 14, selecting Arizona wing Carter Bryant.
Bronny James And Cooper Flagg
Bronny James And Cooper Flagg
By Tony Fisher
Game 3 on July 14 at 5:30 p.m. will come against the Charlotte Hornets and be one we expect Flagg to have circled in red at his new home in Dallas. This one, played on NBA TV, will be a reunion for the star rookie as he plays against two former teammates that were drafted by the Hornets in this year's first round: Liam McNeeley from Gonzaga, whom Flagg played his senior prep season with at Montverde Academy, and Kon Knueppel, a sharpshooter and Flagg's college roommate in his one season with the Blue Devils.
The Mavs' final Summer League game comes against the Philadelphia 76ers on July 16. The two players to watch for Philly are the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft VJ Edgecombe from Baylor and the Sixers' second-round pick Johni Broome, a skilled big man from Auburn who was a finalist behind Flagg for this year's college basketball Naismith Player of the Year award. This matchup will once again be shown on ESPN at 7 p.m. CT.