Mavericks must make this signing ASAP to give Kyrie Irving the perfect backup

Kyrie Irving's reintroduction into the Dallas Mavericks' lineup will solve a lot of problems next season, but Irving turns 34 years old tomorrow and can't play 48 minutes every game, so having reliable backup point guard production will be essential. Dallas has two fairly talented young guards in Ryan Nembhard and Brandon Williams that could fill this role next season, but it's in their best interest to prioritize re-signing Williams this summer due to how he can emulate some of what Irving does.

Dallas has a $2.1 million team option they can exercise or decline with Nembhard this summer, but Williams is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and has undoubtedly played up his value from a minimum player through this past season-and-a-half in Dallas. Keeping both Nembhard and Williams is ideal, especially given the different look Nembhard offers as a reliable table-setter, but Dallas should prioritize signing Williams if it comes down to picking between the two.

At 26 years old, Williams is at the precipice of his prime, and he's one of the best attacking guards in the league despite only being 6-foot-2. He has an elite dribble package, plays above his size defensively, is efficient in the mid-range, and is a solid leaper with elite speed handling the rock. These are all similar traits that Irving has, as Irving has been a great mentor for Williams in Dallas, even if Williams isn't close to the same level as a shooter and playmaker that Irving is.

Williams should be Irving's backup point guard next season

Unless Williams is commanding a contract this summer that is far out of Dallas' means, he's definitely their best bet as their primary backup point guard, as he can emulate a ton of the same stuff Irving does, and feasts against defensive liabilities in opposing defensive units. Nembhard's playmaking will be nullified somewhat with Irving returning to the lineup, and Williams clears Nembhard in almost every other area besides playmaking and 3-point shooting.

Williams' decision-making has gotten better since he's been in Dallas, and he can easily become one of the best backup guards in the league if he can become more reliable from beyond the arc, which isn't out of the question considering he shot 40 percent from deep in the 2024-25 season.

Williams will probably never have the off-dribble 3-point shooting capability that Irving does, but if he can knock down some more open looks, then his on-ball speed makes him even more of a mismatch for defenders because they'll have to respect his jumper more. As aforementioned, Dallas should try to keep both Nembhard and Williams if possible, but Williams simply offers more as a primary backup point guard compared to Nembhard.

Why Williams and Nembhard can both fit in Dallas

There'd definitely still be matchups where Nembhard should play more than Williams, but Nembhard isn't as reliable against lengthier wings in today's league, which makes Williams a far more reliable option as a backup in most instances. With Irving already causing a severe headache to any opposing defense trying to contain his three-level scoring ability and playmaking, they'll have their hands full for 48 minutes when Williams gets in the game and hunts slower-footed defenders.

Williams is currently out of Dallas' lineup due to a concussion, but if he can come back and finish the season strong, he'll leave a great impression on the coaching staff and organization, which will be something they'll have to consider as their minds trek toward what course of action they'll take with him in free agency.