'We’re Getting There': Dallas Mavericks Show Summer League Growth in Practice Ahead of San Antonio Spurs Matchup

Kelly isn’t content with being viewed as just a shooter. He’s trying to round out his offensive and defensive game while still doing what he does best.

“I want to show I’m more than just a shooter. I can put the ball on the floor, playmake, and my gravity opens up the floor for others,” he said. “But I also take pride in rebounding. Every game I try to get a double-double, set the tone on both ends.”

Broghamer pointed to that rebounding ability as a key swing skill.

“He’s a great rebounder,” he said. “As the game gets more switch-heavy, he has to guard his own and still go get the ball against bigger guys. That’s something he can help any team with.”

Adjusting to the NBA Level

The Mavericks spent Friday cleaning up what went wrong in the first half — when they opened 2-of-15 from three — and reinforcing what worked late, particularly with Flagg playing out of closeouts instead of isolation.

“Today was more about doing what we did in the second half,” Broghamer said. “Once we settled in, those same shots started falling. Cooper did a really good job finding guys early, and by the second half, they were finding each other.”

Flagg attempted 21 shots in his debut — something he admitted postgame was unfamiliar territory. He went 5-of-21 from the field, but added six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block in 32 minutes. Broghamer stressed that his shot volume wasn’t forced — it came from reading the defense.

“They were switching everything and letting him play one-on-one,” Broghamer said. “Those are good shots for us. At Duke, the paint’s a lot more crowded. Here, with NBA spacing, he’ll have more room to work and get to his spots.”

Flagg’s assessment was blunt: “That might be one of the worst games of my life,” he said, “but we got the win.”

He noted that, given the pre-draft process, his conditioning still needs to catch up, but the Mavericks staff is giving him room to grow.

“Coach Kidd and the staff have put a lot of confidence in me,” Flagg said. “They want me to try new things, experiment, expand my game — and I feel that trust.”

Chemistry Taking Shape

Nembhard’s late-game heroics stole the spotlight, but the Mavericks are banking on the synergy forming between Flagg, Nembhard, and Kelly.

“Playing with a guy like Ryan is a dream,” Kelly said. “He finds you anywhere on the floor. One play, he took his man off the dribble and just shot the ball out to me in the corner. I was ready for it.”

Broghamer echoed the value of Flagg’s gravity and how it frees up teammates.

“Cooper draws so much attention. He’s getting tracked, face-guarded, double-teamed. That puts lesser defenders on guys like Ryan and Miles, and gives them room to work,” he said. “Those guys were used to being the focal point in college. Now, they can attack closeouts and make plays.”

Even if Flagg sits out a future Summer League game, Broghamer said the team won’t change its approach.

“We want guys like Jordan Hall and Gabe to be aggressive,” he said. “We’re not just throwing it to one guy — we want to see what everyone can do with space and freedom. That’s the way we play.”

While the offense remains a work in progress, the Mavericks have been pleased with their rim protection from Jamarion Sharpe and Moussa Cissé.

“Those two protect everything,” Broghamer said. “They clean it all up — guys are missing layups or shooting over the backboard because they’re always around. Offensively, it’s hard to rebound floaters and midrange misses, but defensively, we were proud of how they held it down.”

Looking Ahead

Friday’s practice also featured more reps for players who didn’t see the floor in Game 1. With five games guaranteed in Las Vegas, the staff aims to balance opportunity with evaluation.

“We want to give guys real minutes,” Broghamer said. “Not just a three-minute stretch where they don’t touch the ball. We’ll rotate some guys in and let them play.”

Jason Kidd has remained present throughout camp and the Summer League, encouraging players and staff to take risks and make mistakes.

“Jason’s message is always consistent: do what we do,” Broghamer said. “He wants guys to be uncomfortable, to grow, and not be afraid of messing up. That’s how we all get better.”

As Flagg continues to learn on the fly, and Kelly and Nembhard settle into their roles, the Mavericks know the flashes are already there. Now it’s about putting the pieces together.

“We’ve got a good group,” Kelly said. “We’re still figuring it all out — but we’re getting there.”

The Mavericks return to action Saturday afternoon against the San Antonio Spurs. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT at the Thomas & Mack Center.

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