Ryan Nembhard’s Shot at Mavericks Roster Hinges on One Big Fix
As the Las Vegas Summer League tips off, the spotlight is understandably fixed on Cooper Flagg and the highly anticipated showdown between the Mavericks and Lakers, with Bronny James on the other side. But if you look just beyond the headlines, there’s a quieter, grittier story developing—one that could be just as important for the Mavericks’ future. Rookie guard Ryan Nembhard, though undrafted, is slowly carving out his own path, and he’s doing it by making one crucial change that could define whether he sticks in Dallas or fades into the shuffle.
Nembhard’s recent evolution as a three-point shooter isn’t just a stat—it's his lifeline. In his junior year at Gonzaga, he shot just 32.1% from deep. Fast forward to his senior season, and he jumps to a clean 40.4%. That’s not luck. That’s a product of meticulous mechanical adjustment and smarter shot selection within the flow of the offense—something he himself acknowledged when speaking to reporters this week. It’s this very tweak that could make or break his rookie campaign.
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The Mavericks have depth at the guard position—D’Angelo Russell, Dante Exum, Brandon Williams—so Nembhard isn’t walking into minutes. But what he offers is different: consistency, composure, and a natural feel for the game. And if he continues to shoot the way he did at Gonzaga, he could force head coach Jason Kidd’s hand. Kidd values energy and discipline, and Nembhard brings both, but at just six feet tall, he needs to shoot the lights out to compensate for any size disadvantages.
Miles Kelly, a fellow two-way signee, even praised Nembhard’s shooting as “tremendous” in practice. That praise matters—it shows that within the team, his reputation is already forming. Summer League head coach Josh Broghamer went a step further, saying that Nembhard’s off-ball shooting opens the floor and gives him value as a second-side playmaker. When paired with Flagg, who’s likely to dominate the ball, Nembhard’s ability to spot up and stretch defenses could be a key to making this duo functional and dangerous.
What’s more, Dallas ended last season hungry for more shooting and secondary playmaking. Nembhard might just offer both. He isn’t just a passer—he’s shown that he can hit from deep, whether it's off the dribble or the catch. That kind of versatility is rare, especially from someone who went undrafted. And while his height may have kept him out of the first round, his mindset might be what propels him into the Mavericks' rotation.
Ryan Nembhard isn’t here to just make a roster—he’s here to prove that his refined jumper isn’t just a fix, it’s a weapon. And if he keeps trending up, the Mavericks may have quietly found themselves a gem.
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