The Dallas Mavericks are on the verge of a new season, and the buzz around the team has never been louder. While rookie sensation Cooper Flagg has dominated headlines with his arrival from Duke, another fresh face is quietly forcing his way into the spotlight: Ryan Nembhard. The undrafted guard, brother of Indiana Pacers’ Andrew Nembhard, has turned heads throughout the NBA Summer League and preseason, and head coach Jason Kidd is openly considering him for a real role in the Mavericks’ rotation. Could Dallas have found its own version of Austin Reaves?
It’s not every year that a two-way contract player makes such an impression before the regular season even tips off. Yet here we are, just days before the Mavericks’ opener against the San Antonio Spurs, and Ryan Nembhard’s name is on everyone’s lips in Dallas. From the moment he stepped on the court this summer, fans and coaches alike have seen something special in the former Gonzaga floor general. His court vision, willingness to make the extra pass, and knack for orchestrating the offense have already set him apart from other rookies vying for a roster spot.
Jason Kidd’s praise for Nembhard has been consistent and effusive. After the Mavericks’ 121-94 preseason rout of the Los Angeles Lakers on October 15, Kidd didn’t mince words. “Ryan could easily be in that rotation,” Kidd told reporters. “He’s made a case for that, and he’s on a two-way. So there’s a lot of good, positive stories here. We have some time to make a decision. We’ll see by the 21st who is starting and how that rotation will look.” Words like those aren’t handed out lightly, especially in a franchise with playoff aspirations and a deep backcourt.
Nembhard’s numbers in the preseason, while not gaudy, speak volumes about his efficiency and impact. Averaging five points, five rebounds, and a steal per game on 37.5 percent shooting from downtown, he made the most of his 16 minutes per contest. It’s not just the box score that tells the story, though. Nembhard’s ability to get both feet into the paint, finish with a floater or short jumper, and collapse defenses has given Dallas much-needed versatility. His advanced passing—honed during his collegiate days where he led the NCAA in assists as a senior—has already made him one of the best distributors on the Mavericks’ roster.
Injuries have played a role in opening the door for Nembhard. With Brandon Williams only recently making his preseason debut after a hamstring strain, and both Dante Exum (knee discomfort) and Kyrie Irving (set to miss extended time) sidelined, the Mavericks’ backcourt depth has been tested. Kidd, known for his willingness to trust and develop young guards, has responded by giving Nembhard meaningful opportunities in preseason rotations. “Kidd’s trust in him to handle the rock and make the right plays grew as the preseason went on,” noted one local reporter. After promising to get Nembhard more minutes with the first group following a game against Utah, Kidd delivered by making him a real piece of the rotation against the Lakers.
Dallas fans have been quick to draw comparisons to Austin Reaves, the undrafted guard who carved out a significant role with the Lakers in 2021 and eventually earned a starting spot. Like Reaves, Nembhard brings a mix of poise, creativity, and hustle that belies his rookie status. The Mavericks’ faithful are already dreaming of a similar trajectory for their new guard—one that could see him evolve from an under-the-radar signing to a key contributor on a playoff team.
Of course, there are challenges ahead. Nembhard is currently on a two-way contract, which limits him to 50 active games during the regular season. However, Kidd’s history suggests that won’t necessarily keep him glued to the bench. Last season, both Williams and Kessler Edwards reached their 50-game limits on two-way deals, with Williams ultimately earning a standard NBA contract before season’s end. If Nembhard continues to impress, a similar path could await him.
What makes Nembhard’s case even more compelling is his fit within the Mavericks’ current roster construction. With playmaking options thin beyond D’Angelo Russell—who, while underrated, can’t shoulder the entire creative load—the team desperately needs another guard who can make advanced reads and set up teammates. Nembhard’s “bread and butter,” as one analyst put it, is exactly that: making the extra pass, knocking down open threes, and keeping defenses honest with his ability to penetrate and finish. He’s worked hard on these skills with renowned trainer Jeremie Hart, and the results have been clear every time he’s taken the floor.
It’s not just about what Nembhard brings individually, either. His presence has a ripple effect on the rest of the team. “He makes his teammates better, which is a hard skill to find for a rookie,” as one local beat writer observed. That kind of impact is invaluable for a Mavericks squad that’s looking to maximize the talents of Cooper Flagg, Luka Dončić, and the rest of their core as they aim for a deep playoff run in the loaded Western Conference.
Looking ahead, the Mavericks are expected to announce their final starting lineup and rotation by October 21. While nothing is set in stone, all signs point to Nembhard being in the mix for real minutes from day one. With Dallas still getting healthy and the backcourt rotation in flux, the opportunity for Nembhard to become a household name is right in front of him. If he continues to perform at this level, not only could he become a staple in Kidd’s rotation, but he might also force the front office’s hand in upgrading his contract to a full-time NBA deal before the season is out.
As the Mavericks prepare to open their 2025-2026 campaign, the excitement is palpable. Cooper Flagg may be the headline act, but Ryan Nembhard’s emergence as a potential rotation player—and perhaps much more—has injected fresh optimism into the team’s outlook. For a player who went undrafted just months ago, the journey from Summer League standout to trusted rookie contributor is moving at breakneck speed.
With the regular season tip-off just around the corner and Dallas’ guard rotation still unsettled, all eyes will be on how Jason Kidd deploys his new weapon. Will Nembhard seize the moment and become the Mavericks’ next great undrafted success story? If preseason is any indication, Dallas fans—and the rest of the NBA—won’t have to wait long to find out.
