The Dallas Mavericks announced they will waive veteran guard Tyus Jones, acquired just weeks ago in a three-team trade involving the Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards ahead of the February 5 deadline. This decision leaves the team without Jones or D’Angelo Russell, who was subsequently traded to Washington, creating a gap at the point guard position that the Mavericks must address. Given that All-Star Kyrie Irving remains sidelined for the season, Dallas appears set to convert rookie Ryan Nembhard from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal as a potential solution.
Prospects for Ryan Nembhard and the Mavericks’ Point Guard Strategy
Ryan Nembhard, younger brother of Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, went undrafted last year but has shown promise as a skilled floor leader despite his smaller stature at 5-foot-11. Though his size has raised concerns about defensive vulnerabilities, his collegiate experience—spanning four years under coaches Greg McDermott at Creighton and Mark Few at Gonzaga—has helped him develop strong basketball instincts. Few, notably, is a celebrated coach, recently selected as a finalist for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2026 class.
With Nembhard and Brandon Williams forming an undersized but potentially effective point guard duo, the Mavericks seem to be favoring youth and high basketball IQ. While the lack of NBA experience on the roster is evident, the team benefits from the expertise of head coach Jason Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard himself, along with Kyrie Irving, who remains able to provide guidance sideline despite his injury.
Questions Surrounding Tyus Jones’ Release From Dallas
The motivation behind waiving Tyus Jones remains unclear. Unlike a planned buyout scenario, akin to what was seen with Khris Middleton, this decision has surprised observers, particularly given Jones was a targeted acquisition at the trade deadline. It is possible that Jones’ short stint with the Mavericks—only lasting a few weeks—did not meet expectations on either side, or that the player himself felt disconnected from the team environment.
This season, Jones is struggling with career-low production, averaging just 3.1 points and 2.6 assists across 56 games on poor shooting splits. In eight games with Dallas, his output slightly improved to 3.9 points and 3.8 assists per game but remained underwhelming, with field goal accuracy at 38.2% and 3-point shooting at a low 21.1%. As Jones seeks new opportunities, it is uncertain how many playoff-caliber teams will express interest given his current form.
Implications for the Mavericks and Outlook Moving Forward
By waiving Jones and promoting Ryan Nembhard, Dallas is prioritizing long-term potential and roster flexibility during a challenging season. The Mavericks are balancing their immediate needs with the development of younger talent, while leveraging veteran leadership from their sideline mentors. With Jones freed to join a playoff-bound team, Dallas opens room to refine its lineup as it navigates the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season.
The Mavericks are waiving recently acquired guard Tyus Jones, @TheSteinLine has learned. The move will allow Jones to seek out a playoff team and open up a roster spot for Dallas to explore its late-season options … including converting Ryan Nembhard to a standard NBA deal. — Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 28, 2026
Tyus Jones, sources say, was who Dallas actually targeted above D'Angelo Russell this summer, before Jones found a richer deal with Orlando than the Mavericks could afford.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 5, 2026
The Mavericks are waiving recently acquired guard Tyus Jones, @TheSteinLine has learned.
The move will allow Jones to seek out a playoff team and open up a roster spot for Dallas to explore its late-season options … including converting Ryan Nembhard to a standard NBA deal.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 28, 2026
