Did Maxwell Lewis Do Enough in Summer League to Earn a Roster Spot?

The 2025 NBA Summer League has officially wrapped up, and one player Mavericks fans kept a close eye on was small forward Maxwell Lewis. While he didn’t generate as much media buzz as his Summer League teammates Cooper Flagg and Ryan Nembhard, Lewis remained a player to watch, largely due to his two years of NBA experience with the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. Now, the question is: Did he do enough this summer to earn a third year in the pros?

The forward out of Pepperdine University was selected 40th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Draft but was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, joining a roster led by LeBron James. His rookie season played out as expected for a second-round pick — primarily serving as an end-of-the-bench option who saw most of his minutes during garbage time. After one year with the Lakers, he was included in a trade package that sent him, along with D’Angelo Russell, to the Brooklyn Nets, a move that comes full circle now, with Russell recently signing a deal with the Dallas Mavericks.

After being waived by the Nets at the end of the season, Lewis found himself searching for another opportunity, and he chose to take that chance with the Mavericks’ Summer League team, hoping to earn a new NBA contract.

In the first three games of Summer League play, Maxwell Lewis didn’t steal the spotlight, settling into more of a role player position and posting modest scoring totals of 2, 8, and 9 points. Much of the offensive attention was focused on Cooper Flagg and Ryan Nembhard, who led the way with standout performances. However, after both Flagg and Nembhard were shut down following their strong outings, Lewis stepped up in a big way. He led the charge with a 23-point performance against the 76ers, followed by an 18-point effort against the Orlando Magic, ending the Summer League with a bang.

So, were those final performances enough to earn him another shot? He proved that he can carry the load when the stars are sidelined. But as of now, there haven’t been any reports of Lewis receiving offers from NBA teams, but with training camps not set to begin until early October, there’s still time.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Lewis lands at least a two-way contract with the Mavericks — or, at minimum, a training camp invite to showcase his growth in preseason play. He brings two years of NBA experience and has shared the floor with current Mavericks teammates like D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Davis.

For now, the question remains: What’s next for Maxwell Lewis? Whether it’s a return to the league through Dallas or another opportunity elsewhere, he may have done just enough to keep his NBA dream alive.a contract with the mavericks, another organization, G league team, or a team overseas.