Mavericks vindicated for draft day whiff as overlooked rookie steals spotlight

The Dallas Mavericks tried to trade for an additional draft pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after drafting Cooper Flagg, but they failed to do so. Dallas wanted to draft a point guard to pair with Flagg, and they had their sights set on Ryan Nembhard.

Rumors of the Mavericks trying to trade for an additional pick were circulating heading into the draft, but the future draft assets that they could trade were limited. Dallas has been notably aggressive with trading second-round picks in the past, leaving their cupboard pretty dry when it comes to assets that could intrigue rival teams. They needed another guard in their rotation with Kyrie Irving out of the lineup for an extended time due to a torn ACL, and they addressed this need as soon as the draft ended.

The Mavs were able to sign Nembhard to a two-way deal following the draft, and they have been completely vindicated for their long-standing interest in the young guard. They missed out on trading for him, but their promise to give him a two-way contract helped him find his way to Dallas.

Ryan Nembhard has been a major steal for Dallas

He has been a major bright spot in the Mavericks' backcourt, and the fact that they were able to get their hands on him without giving up any assets is a major win. Nembhard has proven to be one of the best rookie guards in the NBA, and he and Flagg are forming an incredible duo.

It has helped Flagg significantly to have a pass-first point guard in the starting lineup alongside him, and he and Nembhard have brought the best out of one another. Nembhard's strong 3-point shooting, incredible passing, and steady hand while running the show have made him look like a future franchise cornerstone here in Dallas, and he has been the best undrafted rookie this season by far.

The Mavericks struck gold by signing him after the draft, and the future is bright with him and Flagg. Dallas has already made it clear that they will convert his two-way contract to a standard deal later this season, and the rest of the league has to be kicking themselves for not drafting him.

Concerns about his size have proven to be completely overblown, as he is always one of the most skilled players when he's on the court. He put up the fifth-most assists in a season as a senior at Gonzaga for a reason, and he has brought this on-ball wizardry to the Mavs.

He makes the right play over and over again, and he and Flagg headline the best rookie class in the NBA. The Mavericks got lucky that teams didn't spend a second-round pick on him, and he continues to put every team that passed on him on notice.