The NBA Summer League is off and running, allowing basketball fans to see the game’s upcoming stars in action.
Not all players who shine in the Summer League pan out in the NBA, of course, but it’s a great way for people to get a taste of the action and see the future of the league in motion.
It can be easy for fans and analysts to react to solid performances in the Summer League, and there has been plenty of excitement already.
Several players have put impressive performances together, including Ryan Nembhard of the Dallas Mavericks.
Cooper Flagg was what people wanted to see in the Mavericks’ debut, and he had a respectable 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals, but the story of this game was Nembhard.
He had 21 points and five assists while going 8-14 from the floor, stealing the show away from Flagg and having a fantastic game.
Bill Simmons called him his “favorite draft sleeper” on X, indicating that this performance was a reflection of what he thought of Nembhard coming into the Summer League.
My favorite draft sleeper! Now we have to get Jakucionis going https://t.co/T3Oq6CyQ6D
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 11, 2025
The Mavericks, of course, lost Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024-2025 NBA season, a crushing blow to their immediate and future outlook, but players like Flagg and Nembhard give fans hope.
They will also have Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson on the roster that should help their chances, but with the Western Conference continuing to heat up, they’ll have to put things together quickly.
Can a mostly unsuspecting player like Nembhard make the difference for the Mavericks over the next several months?
NEXT: Cooper Flagg Shows Off New Number With Mavericks