FA: The Dallas Mavericks Sign Ryan Nembhard to a 2-way Deal

[Reunion Mav]

First pick in the draft and first steal of the post draft. Nice!

[Winter]

For Nembhard, the selling point for signing with Dallas is.... "You're in Summer League with Cooper Flagg"

How many replays are going to be shown of him in Sports Center?

[FireNicoHarrison]

Same as Allen Iverson - and Chris Paul. Wouldn’t he be a nice mentor?

Too short

[Kidnova]

This certainly feels like one of those times fans get excited about a guy who's limitations simply won't allow his game to translate beyond the college level. 5'11 with a short wingspan just isn't going to cut it unless you are a unique talent. The scouting reports I saw also said his defense was suspect, which is probably related to size.

[Winter]

Isaiah Thomas, Nate Robinson, Calvin Murphy, Spud Webb, Earl Boykin, Mugsy Bogues

Tyus Jones is only 6'1" and several people here wanted him. Chris Paul is listed at 6'.

I'm still not sure how tall the undrafted Juan Barea was. He was listed at 6'0, but no one believed it.

It happens with some regularity

[FireNicoHarrison]

What? Regularity? About 10 men in 50 years of basketball. Wow.

You need to be really special to play high level NBA basketball at 6'0.

[Chicagojk]

I think it is a good gamble. I don't expect much for two way guys. I just want them to take them seriously. Mavs have been pretty good finding some decent players that have been hiding in plain site. Not great, but pretty good.

Being that small is really tough. You need to be a fighter. I am anxious to see him in summer league.

[Winter]

What? Regularity? About 10 men in 50 years of basketball. Wow.

You need to be really special to play high level NBA basketball at 6'0.

That's generally true of all NBA players. It's a silly discussion. Of course you get penalized for being small, but players every year do it. Brandon Williams went undrafted and he's 6' 1" and we like him. 

It's not like Nembhard is a dog off the street. Monteverde Academy, led the NCAA is assists, shoots 3-pointers well... and apparently hasn't missed a game in two years.

And it's not like we wasted a draft pick.

[SleepingHero]

Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons)
I can’t believe nobody drafted Ryan Nembhard. And then Dallas steals him on a 2-way? I think he’s gonna be good. The NBA should add a 10-player third round and make it a 70-pick draft. The worst 10 teams get one more 3rd rounder.

[loki]

Love the signing. His odds of contributing in the NBA seem much higher to me than Melvin Ajinca who they traded up for.

[FireNicoHarrison]

That's generally true of all NBA players. It's a silly discussion. Of course you get penalized for being small, but players every year do it. Brandon Williams went undrafted and he's 6' 1" and we like him. 

It's not like Nembhard is a dog off the street. Monteverde Academy, led the NCAA is assists, shoots 3-pointers well... and apparently hasn't missed a game in two years.

And it's not like we wasted a draft pick.

I didn't say it. Don't change my word please.

[Chicagojk]

Watched his highlights. Nice signing. It is just really tough being under 6 feet. There are a few exceptions but the success rate is razor thin. My history is filled with liking small guards who do the right thing. Most of them don’t make it in the nba. You really need to be a tough MFer.

Good gamble though and should be at least to fill in if injuries hit. Looking forward to se me how he competes.

[F Gump]

Watched his highlights.  Nice signing.  It is just really tough being under 6 feet.  There are a few exceptions but the success rate is razor thin.  My history is filled with liking small guards who do the right thing.  Most of them don’t make it in the nba.  You really need to be a tough MFer. 

Good gamble though and should be at least to fill in if injuries hit.  Looking forward to se me how he competes.

"Good gamble though and should be at least to fill in if injuries hit." -- Able to be a fill in, in yr 1, even as a deep backup? Hmmm. I have real doubts.

IMO Mavs plan is basically for "developing him" (hopefully), primarily in GL in yr 1, and maybe some in scrimmages/camp. IMO "using him"" (beyond garbage mins) isn't in their 2025-26 plan at all.

[Chicagojk]

"Good gamble though and should be at least to fill in if injuries hit." -- Able to be a fill in, in yr 1, even as a deep backup? Hmmm. I have real doubts.

IMO Mavs plan is basically for "developing him" (hopefully), primarily in GL in yr 1, and maybe some in scrimmages/camp. IMO "using him"" (beyond garbage mins) isn't in their 2025-26 plan at all.

Yeah you are probably right.  I was thinking of instances where we had Jazian Gortman and McKinley Wrights of the world.  I certainly wouldn’t count on Ryan to play meaningful
Minutes, but if the injury bug continues…

[ThisIStheYear]

Nembhard is a nice Summer League, training camp, and GLeague player. Everything matters and he can help your organization with those little things. But he’s not playing in real games unless half the team gets injured.

[Knutsen]

Nembhard is a nice Summer League, training camp, and GLeague player. Everything matters and he can help your organization with those little things. But he’s not playing in real games unless half the team gets injured.

I‘m really looking forward to his summer league performance - if he‘s able to lead and orchestrate the team and find his own scoring opportunities and is as smart as his brother and plays off Cooper perfectly in the one or two games he’ll play, we can project that he could somehow help the Mavs this season. If he struggles and gets overpowered on both ends and looks like a child amongst men in summer league you can send him to the Legends immediately.

[Reunion Mav]

I‘m really looking forward to his summer league performance - if he‘s able to lead and orchestrate the team and find his own scoring opportunities and is as smart as his brother and plays off Cooper perfectly in the one or two games he’ll play, we can project that he could somehow help the Mavs this season. If he struggles and gets overpowered on both ends and looks like a child amongst men in summer league you can send him to the Legends immediately.

His brother gets through screens amazingly well. I would love to see that.

[SleepingHero]

Nembhard is a nice Summer League, training camp, and GLeague player. Everything matters and he can help your organization with those little things. But he’s not playing in real games unless half the team gets injured.

I wouldn't be so quick to write him off. His brother also was an afterthought really coming out of college and his rookie year he surprised many. Can Ryan be like that? His height makes it difficult but the talent is there 100%.

[haveitall]

I wouldn't be so quick to write him off. His brother also was an afterthought really coming out of college and his rookie year he surprised many. Can Ryan be like that? His height makes it difficult but the talent is there 100%.

I watched JJ Barea in summer league and no one and I mean no one expected him at the time to dismantle Kobe and the Lakers in the playoffs.  Nembhard is a passer with 10 apg in college, that is exactly what Dallas needs. If he doesn't pan out there is zero risk but 10 apg in college is nothing to sneeze at.

[KillerLeft]

Man, I miss Barea. What I wouldn't give to have him on this squad.