Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki has publicly endorsed the team's first-round draft pick, guard Sergio De Larrea. The franchise icon shared his thoughts with Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News, praising De Larrea's basketball IQ and playmaking. This endorsement comes as the Mavericks look to solidify their backcourt, riding a recent 2-game winning run after a stretch of three consecutive losses.
What did Dirk Nowitzki say about Sergio De Larrea?
Nowitzki told the Dallas Morning News he watched De Larrea play in an international game last summer. "I’ve seen De Larrea live in international team game. I think it was last summer. Really liked him," Nowitzki said. He highlighted the guard's intelligence and ability to create, calling him a "super smart" point guard who "knows how to play, decent athlete, can get to his spots." The Mavericks traded up from the 30th pick to the 25th pick in the - NBA Draft to select him, using two future second-round picks to make the move.
How did Sergio De Larrea perform in Summer League and FIBA?
De Larrea's transition has shown flashes of his potential. During NBA Summer League play, he struggled with scoring but demonstrated elite passing vision. He recorded a combined 26 assists over his final two games, shattering the Mavericks' Summer League single-game assist record. More recently, in FIBA World Cup qualifiers, he had a scoreless outing with several turnovers, highlighting the physical adjustment required at the professional level. The team knows his development, particularly adding strength, will take time.
What role will Sergio De Larrea play for the Dallas Mavericks this season?
The Mavericks needed backcourt playmaking after inconsistent guard production last season. Kyrie Irving's return from injury is the primary solution, but De Larrea offers a young, talented option for the future. His exceptional lob-passing ability pairs well with athletic finishers like Cooper Flagg, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and P.J. Washington. Given the scoring and physicality jump, it's likely De Larrea spends some time in the G-League for consistent reps. Otherwise, he'll compete with Marcus Sasser for backup guard minutes. You can track his progress and the team's performance on our stats page.
How are the Dallas Mavericks performing currently?
The team is looking to build on positive momentum. Their last result was a high-scoring 149-128 victory over the Chicago Bulls on April 13, 2026. Their recent form over the last five games is 2 wins and 3 losses (WWLLL), but they currently are on a 2-game winning streak. This context makes developing a player like De Larrea even more important for long-term backcourt stability. For the latest team news and updates, follow our coverage.
