Mavericks' rumored moves could unlock two game-changing signings

The Dallas Mavericks' front office has an easy decision to make on the futures of two of their rookies. Not only have Ryan Nembhard and Moussa Cisse exceeded expectations, but they've unintentionally opened up some roster spots for other two-way players since the Mavericks plan to convert both of their two-way contracts to standard deals. No one expected both Nembhard and Cisse to be on the 15-man roster before the season ended, and this will give them some much-needed flexibility.

If the Mavs succeed in their goal of signing both Cisse and Nembhard to standard deals, two two-way roster spots will open up. This allows them to add more youth to their young core, and they could potentially find more young players who have a chance of becoming building blocks of their future.

The Mavs will need to add some able bodies anyway because of the number of injuries this season. It's not as bad as last season, when Dallas almost had to do the unthinkable by forfeiting games, but the two-way contracts should open up if Nembhard and Cisse are signed to standard deals. Both of these guys deserve it after stepping up with massive injuries happening all around them.

The Mavs have a great recent history of bringing in youth on two-way deals, like Brandon Williams, who's been as good as gold and has done everything the coaching staff has asked him to. Now, he's an obvious backup to Kyrie Irving once he returns, with Nembhard in the rotation as well. It'd be a great chance to see what this backcourt could do to develop this team for the future.

Dallas will have two open roster spots if things go according to plan

Nembhard exceeded expectations even before the season started. Even in Summer League action in Las Vegas, Nembhard's confidence, shooting, and steady hand while running the show provided Jason Kidd with a decision to make, and he sure made a good one by allowing Nembhard to showcase his talents in the regular season in the regular rotation.

Cisse is a natural shot blocker who has been forced to play more with injuries to Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and Anthony Davis. Fans have already fallen in love with Cisse's game, and he seemingly gets more love than Davis. That's not because of any ill-will toward Davis, but Cisse is doing the best he can to save the Mavs while Davis is watching from the sidelines.

Both players have contributed heavily to a season that's been highlighted by Cooper Flagg, but they have to find players to build around him soon. It doesn't look like it's in the plans for Flagg to play with the injury-prone Davis for much longer, and the Mavericks should have the perfect chance to find more young players to try out after they sign Cisse and Nembhard.

They'll of course have to make some trades and roster moves to free up roster spots to sign them both, but assuming they can make this happen, Dallas will have locked up two key pieces of their future.

This Mavericks group of Cisse, Nembhard, Flagg, and Miles Kelly will be the rookie class that will be talked about for years to come.

It looks like the Mavs are going to keep Williams in the fold because of his quickness, finishing, and dependability, but Nembhard has the confidence and IQ to remain a reliable piece in Kidd's rotation as well. Cisse may be the future backup center of this team, with questions on Davis and Gafford's future as trade rumors rage on. On top of the undeniable trade rumbles and numerous injuries that are overtaking the Mavericks, it's going to be hard not to sign either one of Cisse or Nembhard.

They are both players who deserve to be in Jason Kidd's rotation every single game, and they can't allow one of them to slip away. Dallas has to prioritize getting them on the 15-man roster as soon as possible, and this move will kill two birds with one stone. The Mavs would then have two open two-way roster spots, and the possibilities are endless when it comes to who they could bring in.

We don't know who would be a candidate to bring on for this team if Dallas does sign Nembhard and Cissse, but if there's anything that the Mavericks are good at, it's bringing in young talent on two-way contracts and having Jason Kidd turn them into must-see players.

Miles Kelly might be another name that we may see grow more as the season progresses, and Dallas could even consider keeping him around if he begins to play better. The rookie from Auburn has a confident jump shot, but he has to get more reps as he goes along.

However, the cutthroat nature of the NBA set in even before training camp hit, and it was a big reality check for Kelly. He can't get minutes with a loaded roster. Now, with multiple injuries that are once again halting the Mavs' season, it can be an opportunity for Jason Kidd to give him the time he needs. He won't be a regular player every night, but it doesn't hurt to give him the reps he needs.

The Mavericks have a lot of choices to make over the next two weeks, and their trade deadline endeavors could quietly determine how easy it will be to keep both Cisse and Nembhard around beyond this year. If they can pull off this dream scenario and convert both rookies' contracts to standard deals, Mavs fans should be ecstatic, as the front office would immediately have the chance to sign two young players to two-way contracts to finish off the season.

And who knows, if they get lucky, these players too could prove they deserve to stick around in Big D.