NBA writer controversially snubs Mavericks' beloved breakout rookie

Sitting at 9-16 ahead of their next game versus the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, the Dallas Mavericks' recent surge can mainly be attributed to developing a coherent offense, which has been expedited by 5-foot-11 rookie Ryan Nembhard's playmaking and control of the offense in the half-court. While Nembhard has only been in the rotation for a couple of weeks, he's already proving to be one of the most valuable rookies in the 2025 class, but Bleacher Report doesn't seem to think so.

In a 2025 NBA re-draft of the first round published on December 5, Bleacher Report writer Greg Swartz failed to include Nembhard in any of the top 30 picks, even though Nembhard popped onto the scene with a 28 points and 10 assists line off 12-14 shooting from the field versus the Denver Nuggets just four days before this re-draft was published.

To give Swartz the benefit of the doubt, perhaps he started constructing this piece before Nembhard was in mind as one of the most impressive rookies in the class, but this was a blatant mishap by Swartz if he simply neglected Nembhard here, as there's an argument to be made that Nembhard should've been drafted in the top 15 of this re-draft.

BR leaves Nembhard out of the first round of the 2025 re-draft entirely

Nembhard has been extremely consistent for the Mavericks since becoming the starting point guard, even when he's not scoring at a high volume. His 3-point efficiency and his defense were his two biggest question marks coming into this season, yet he's proved to hold his own at his height on defense, and is shooting 53.6 percent from outside in 12 games this season.

With Nembhard being injured for a small stretch earlier this season and not being a fixture in the rotation at the very beginning of the season, it's easy to see why Swartz may have overlooked him on this list. But he will definitely regret this in the long run if Nembhard continues to play at the rate that he has been recently.

Being overlooked has been the story of Nembhard's career up to this point, going undrafted due to his lack of size and being a four-year college player, but he plays with an undeniable chip on his shoulder as well as relentless effort. This is something that takes many rookies far longer to develop, and he is proving that he is one of the best rookie guards in the NBA, one game at a time.

Given Nembhard has only played 12 games in Dallas so far, it wouldn't be surprising if his efficiency dips from where it's at currently, as it would be absurd for a guard his height to continue to shoot 56.3 percent from the field as the season goes on. Regardless, Nembhard's efficiency as a three-level scorer isn't looking like a fluke as he continues to get more games under his belt.

Nembhard still has an uphill battle to continue to prove himself in the league on the national level, just like another small guard in Dallas did a few seasons ago in Jalen Brunson, but he's poised to prove doubters wrong and make a mockery of takes as Swartz had here if he can continue to command the offense at this clip.

Whether Nembhard has star potential or will continue to be a solid starter throughout his career is unknown at this point. However, he definitely belongs in the league, and getting to see him matchup versus another guard from this class in top-eight pick Egor Demin versus the Nets on Friday could be very telling in regard to how badly Swartz excluded Nembhard from his list, as Mavericks fans wouldn't be surprised to see Nembhard outplay Demin in this game whatsoever.