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

[OBX Maverick]

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.

I agree, and let’s not forget this was against some decent competition as well. It’s not as if he was playing for the Pismo Beach Panthers…

[david75090]

I agree, and let’s not forget this was against some decent competition as well. It’s not as if he was playing for the Pismo Beach Panthers…

Pismo usually has a solid squad.

[Chicagojk]

https://x.com/philaugust30/status/1939494780028793004

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Any thoughts on Nembhard‘s defense? He’s obviously an asset monster, which I love. I’m tired of scoring combo guards.

[myconsumerclub]

I think having Nembhard on a 2 way is good insurance to have considering the injury history we have had to deal with. I would not be surprised at him having to start some games here this year. I understand he is only 5'11 but word was JJ was 5'10.

The small guys seem to pass through the trees more easily to get where they need to get to. Speedy Gonzales was fast and speed is an advantage on defense as well as offense, plus if a small player can shoot well enough like 40% plus then you are strong enough on offense to make up for the times when they have someone run him over and that usually results in a foul when the other guys do elect to run over your midgets.

It makes a nice change of pace to put a small PG out there because then the other team is unable to stop your water bug getting the ball to your inside scoring bigs.

JJ had Tyson, Matrix, and Dirk to feed the ball to. AD Gafford Lively PJ and Cooper is a decent talent base you need to feed inside. JJ made a living feeding the ball to Dirk when you got a big that can score like Dirk you do not need to have a Luka to be your pg. Nembhard and B Will should excel in feeding our bigs easy baskets.

D Lo if he is signed might be someone we want to trade off and we may get stuck with him so we need to be very careful with giving him a long term contract. If his shot is gone and he cannot return to near 40% 3 point shooting then he is worth a lot less to us.

If Cooper can handle the responsibility to bring the ball up there is no stopping this team we have all the bases covered.

[SleepingHero]

Any thoughts on Nembhard‘s defense?  He’s obviously an asset monster, which I love.  I’m tired of scoring combo guards.

His defense is what I would describe as passable for the college level. Of course the biggest limitation is his size. He's 5'11, maybe 6'0 on a good day. We're not foreign to a diminutive guard in our offense (See: JJ Barea). What made Barea okay was that he knew exactly how to manipulate the defense so that they couldn't just bulldoze over him.

If Nembhard can do that, then I can see him surviving in this league. His offensive game also must match, but after watching a lot of game tape, I really believe in the dude.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

His defense is what I would describe as passable for the college level. Of course the biggest limitation is his size. He's 5'11, maybe 6'0 on a good day. We're not foreign to a diminutive guard in our offense (See: JJ Barea). What made Barea okay was that he knew exactly how to manipulate the defense so that they couldn't just bulldoze over him.

If Nembhard can do that, then I can see him surviving in this league. His offensive game also must match, but after watching a lot of game tape, I really believe in the dude.

The scouting on his defense is very complimentary, as a POA defender in which his lack of stature is minimized.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

I went to college with Nash. No way he was over 6' unless he grew his 23rd year.

[DallasMaverick]

I went to college with Nash.  No way he was over 6' unless he grew his 23rd year.

Yep.

And he only started 2 games his rookie year.

He did average 10 minutes per game, so much better than Barea's 6mpg.

[Knutsen]

That’s as optimistic an article as I‘ve ever seen about an undrafted player - let’s hope it’ll be true:

https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2025/6/30/...ning-night

[Winter]

Well, he clearly knows how to do an interview....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXRvUHMDys

Some nice defense, a 3-pointer, and a couple of steals at the NBA Combine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDRdcZc8gs0

[FireNicoHarrison]

He can pass and set up plays, that's what we need right now.