Mavericks given crucial head start on free agency with key contract move

Thanks to Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley converting Ryan Nembhard's two-way contract to a standard deal at the end of the 2025-26 season, the Dallas Mavericks have one less thing to worry about this summer. This move was in the works since early in the season, but it definitely makes free agency much easier for Dallas when evaluating the big picture.

Dallas doesn't have to worry about losing Ryan Nembhard

They still need to improve their backcourt in free agency and the draft, but having Nembhard already signed allows them to address other areas of need. They still need more point-of-attack defense and 3-point shooting, and ensuring that Nembhard can't hit free agency after his strong rookie year puts them in a strong spot.

After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Nembhard averaged 6.6 points and a rookie-high 5.3 assists per game while shooting 35.6 percent from beyond the arc for Dallas. His playmaking, poise, and ability to lead his team helped him land a role in Jason Kidd's rotation right away, and he even started in 27 games.

This is far more production than anyone could've imagined when Dallas originally signed Nembhard to a two-way deal after the draft, and he flashed the potential to be a key member of the Mavericks' young core for years to come. He averaged 15.6 points and 6.8 assists per game while shooting 66.7 percent from long range in his first five games as a starter, and these types of performances showed how dominant he can be when he's at his best.

All of the NBA would be after him as a low-risk, high-reward player in free agency if Dallas hadn't signed him when they did, and they saved themselves a major headache.

The Mavericks' free agency is as crucial as ever

Now, they can focus on utilizing their mid-level exception to add a high-impact free agent to round out their roster around Cooper Flagg. Players like Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Quentin Grimes could end up going in this range, and any of these players would elevate the Mavericks' ceiling significantly.

Dallas' Anthony Davis trade helped them create this financial flexibility, and whoever they sign to the MLE could be one of the biggest X-factors for next season. They haven't been able to utilize the non-taxpayer mid-level exception for a few years now, and thanks to the Mavericks sending Davis to Washington, they can bring in someone who fills one of their holes.

This year's free agency is one o the most important in recent memory, as it'll be Dallas' first offseason building around Flagg. There are plenty of outstanding options on the open market, and with Nembhard already being signed, they can mostly focus on external players who will help them return to the playoffs.

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