Mavericks rookie just handed Dallas their easiest decision of the offseason

On the final day of the regular season, undrafted rookie point guard Ryan Nembhard left a lasting impression with an unreal performance. In a 149-128 win over the Chicago Bulls, he posted 15 points, 9 rebounds, and a Mavs' rookie single-game high 23 assists. The performance came just ahead of Dallas’ decision on whether to retain the breakout guard via his team option.

Nembhard began the season on a two-way contract after going undrafted out of Gonzaga. The undersized floor general entered with clear potential, but also questions about his upside as an older collegiate prospect whose ceiling appeared to be nearing its limit.

Dallas threw Ryan Nembhard into the fire

Nonetheless, Dallas proved to be an ideal landing spot for Nembhard. Without Kyrie Irving due to a torn ACL, the Mavericks needed help at point guard and even opened the season with Cooper Flagg handling primary playmaking duties. That experiment didn’t yield the desired results, and Nembhard was quickly thrust into a sizable role.

Nembhard saw 25.5 minutes per game in December and responded with 9.8 points and 6.8 assists per game, all while operating with strong efficiency. However, the former Wildcat’s impact trailed off as the season wore on, with his minutes dipping in January and falling further in February. Still, Dallas had to be mindful of his two-way status and the 50-game NBA limit.

Thus, instead of limiting Nembhard, Dallas chose to prioritize him, signing him to a standard contract in late February. The move came at the expense of recently acquired Tyus Jones, but it proved to be the right decision, rewarding the undrafted guard’s emergence.

However, following his promotion to a standard NBA contract, Nembhard’s impact continued to fade. He was no longer the same ascending guard, settling into a more modest role off the bench. He averaged 5.5 points and 4.8 assists in 18.2 minutes per game, shooting just 37.2 percent from the field in March.

Nembhard left a lasting impression

This decline came amid an impending team option. What once felt like an easy decision gradually became more complicated, as Nembhard no longer appeared to be a guaranteed fixture in Dallas. That perception, however, shifted in April. Even before his 23-assist outburst, he had strung together four straight games with at least seven assists, reasserting his presence.

But the 23-assist performance ultimately cemented his case moving forward. Nights with 15-plus assists, let alone 20-plus, don’t come around often. It was more than impressive — it was eye-opening. Dallas appears to have found a guard capable of delivering that kind of production. As such, the Mavericks should have little hesitation.

Moreover, Nembhard is owed just $2.1 million next season. A player capable of producing at that level on a minimal deal is a valuable retention piece. With Irving set to return and Dallas holding two first-round picks, roster flexibility will be at a premium. Even as a third option at point guard, Nembhard profiles as a steady and intriguing piece for the Mavericks moving forward.

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