​The Mavericks’ backup point guard competition is heating up rapidly between a proven playmaking veteran and a first-round rookie, a storyline that originated with The Sporting News. The Sporting News is listed as a preferred source by clicking here. Dallas did not plan for a point guard battle this summer, but Ryan Nembhard and first-year pro Sergio De Larrea have transformed the backup role behind Kyrie Irving into one of the more compelling subplots to emerge from Las Vegas.
Nembhard, entering his second season after going undrafted out of Gonzaga, opened Summer League with a double-double in Thursday’s 101-90 defeat to Golden State. He posted 15 points, 11 assists, three rebounds, a steal, and a block in 35 minutes, according to NBA.com’s box score. Mavs assistant Joe Boylan lauded Nembhard as a luxury for a Summer League roster, highlighting his ability to pressure the ball and set the pace. Dallas has already signaled its view of Nembhard’s future by exercising his $2.2 million team option, a move confirmed by NBA insider Marc Stein.
De Larrea’s path to Dallas is decidedly unconventional. The Lakers drafted him 25th overall this summer, traded his rights to the Knicks, and New York subsequently sent him to the Mavericks. After signing his contract on July 3, he joined the Summer League starting lineup five days later. His debut wasn’t efficient, finishing with nine points on 3-for-14 shooting, six rebounds, and five assists, but his style drew attention beyond the box score. No Ceilings draft analyst Nathan Grubel noted that De Larrea played better than his numbers suggested, praising his off-ball movement and highlighting him alongside first-round pick Morez Johnson Jr.
The two guards bring very different approaches to the court. Nembhard is a steady, traditional floor general who already has a year of NBA experience under his belt. De Larrea, a 6-foot-7 playmaker, spent last season running pick-and-rolls and shooting over 40 percent from deep for Valencia in Spain. While his ball-handling appeared a bit rough early on, he seemed comfortable directing screens and orchestrating plays. Dallas will face the Lakers on Saturday, and both guards are expected to continue logging meaningful minutes as the backup job behind Irving remains up for grabs.
As the Mavericks navigate this summer’s competition, attention will also turn to the broader roster decisions surrounding a crowded frontcourt, a factor that could influence how the team prioritizes its depth behind Irving. The dynamic between Nembhard’s proven, steady leadership and De Larrea’s project-ready, high-upside upside reflects the balance Dallas seeks in its backcourt: a reliable option who can manage the game and an athletic, versatile playmaker capable of creating offense off the wing and in the pick-and-roll. The ongoing debate in Las Vegas signals more than a temporary Summer League storyline; it could foreshadow the approach Dallas takes as it structures its guard rotation for the season ahead. Keep an eye on how these two prospects develop, as each has a distinct skill set that could complement Irving and shape the Mavericks’ strategy entering training camp and the regular season.
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