Mavericks prepare for free agency with no-brainer move Cooper Flagg will love

With free agency beginning tomorrow, the Dallas Mavericks made a move on the margins by opting into Ryan Nembhard's $2.2 million team option for next season, keeping him under contract until the end of the 2026-27 season rather than allowing him to hit free agency. This was a no-brainer move considering that Nembhard played a valuable role for Dallas as a rookie, and Cooper Flagg should love that the Mavericks are keeping his former rookie running mate.

Keeping Ryan Nembhard in Dallas was the right move

This move eliminates any uncertainty about the 23-year-old guard's future, allowing them to focus on other signings to improve the roster around Flagg and company once free agency opens.

Nembhard averaged 6.6 points and 5.3 assists per game during his first season in Dallas, playing in 60 games and starting in 27 of them. His season was so impressive that the team converted his two-way deal to a standard contract. This is a testament to the value that he brought to his new team.

Nemby went from going undrafted to starting in nearly 30 games, and a big reason his first season was so successful was how well he played with Flagg.

Flagg and Nembhard are a powerful on-court duo

Flagg and Nembhard's chemistry started almost immediately after both players joined the Mavericks last year, and it continued until the end of the season. His bond with Nembhard was evident on and off the court, and they set the tone for a strong season with some big performances in the NBA Summer League.

Flagg, of course, stole the show, but Nembhard showed signs he would be ready to contribute on day one as well. He made some big shots and facilitated at a high level, but his on-court connection with Flagg is what shone through. The former Gonzaga Bulldog always knew where Flagg was going to be, and his precise passing and ability to push the pace made him an excellent fit with Cooper.

The season didn't end up going as smoothly as Dallas would've liked, as they lost 56 games and missed the NBA Playoffs for the third time in four years, but Nembhard and Flagg laid a strong foundation for what the Mavericks could look like moving forward. Cooper is on pace to be one of the faces of the NBA, and Ryan looks like he'll be a strong backup point guard with elite passing at the very least.

Keeping Nembhard was about more than just next season

This is why exercising his team option was such an important move, and Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz made the correct call by keeping Nembhard in Mavericks blue for next season. This gives him a chance to prove that he deserves a long-term contract in Dallas, and Ujiri and Schmitz can figure out if he fits into their future vision for the team.

If Flagg had his choice, he'd likely opt for the Mavs to keep Nembhard for as long as possible, and he has to be ecstatic that he gets to play with him for at least one more season. The Nemby-Coop connection is obviously bigger than basketball, and their bond helped them form the strongest Mavericks rookie duo we've seen since Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson.

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