Jason Kidd set to shake up Mavericks' rotation immediately with unorthodox move

Jason Kidd has never played a two-way player on opening night since becoming head coach of the Dallas Mavericks in 2021, but that trend is poised to break tomorrow with Ryan Nembhard. Kidd has spoken glowingly of Nembhard ever since Dallas signed him following the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, and he could quickly become someone that he relies upon early.

The Mavericks will be without Kyrie Irving for at least a few months to begin the season as he recovers from an ACL tear, and Nembhard is bound to be part of the committee that helps make up for his absence.

Kidd has already talked about how Nembhard could "easily" be in the rotation to begin the season, and their lack of guard depth combined with his unique skillset should make him someone that gets used right away.

Ryan Nembhard may break a Jason Kidd tendency right away

Nembhard is the only true pass-first point guard on the team, and his unselfish style is rare to find in today's NBA. Last season at Gonzaga, Nembhard dished out 344 assists, the fifth most assists in a single season in NCAA history, and Mavs fans got to see a glimpse of his passing excellence during the preseason.

In his third preseason game, Nembhard racked up 12 assists against the Utah Jazz in just 26 minutes, and he showcased how well he can control the game already. He reads the game at an elite level, and he seemingly always makes the right play every time down the floor, especially in transition.

Nembhard is going to be a monster when running in transition with his teammates, as he is an elite lob thrower and always knows where each of his teammates is. He loves looking to give the ball up in exchange for an easy bucket for one of his teammates, but isn't afraid to lay it up or go get a bucket himself.

His control of the game when the ball is in his hands is unreal, as every dribble has a purpose, and he does a great job of setting the table for everyone else around him. Kidd complimented his ability to do this within the last week or so, and the fact that Nembhard is set to be part of his rotation after going undrafted a few months ago shows how hard he has been working.

A two-way player, let alone an undrafted rookie, is rarely in a contender's rotation to begin the season, but Nembhard is set to break the norm in that way. He isn't just an ordinary rookie, as the signs that he would dominate at the next level were all over his game film at Gonzaga, and the Mavericks taking a chance on him paid off right away.

Nembhard was excellent in his first Summer League with Dallas, and quickly formed an on-court connection with Cooper Flagg. Both rookies are set to have real roles in Kidd's system. Teams overlooked Nembhard for his lack of size, but it won't take him long to prove that his skill as a floor general and competitive drive on both ends far outweigh his lack of height.