On Saturday morning, the Dallas Mavericks finalized a long-anticipated roster change as they waived Tyus Jones and upgraded Ryan Nembhard’s two-way contract to a full two-year standard deal, sources confirmed to The Smoking Cuban. This strategic move signals the Mavericks’ commitment to strengthening their squad around their emerging star, Cooper Flagg, and reflects confidence in Nembhard’s rapid development since being signed after the 2025 NBA Draft.
Nembhard’s Rise Reflects Dedication and Expert Coaching
Dallas recognized Ryan Nembhard’s potential early, and by converting his contract prior to completing his rookie season, the team demonstrated their belief in his contributions. This progress did not happen by chance; upon arrival, Nembhard immediately began intensive training with Jeremie Hart, a respected player development coach and recruiting coordinator at SMU. Their close collaboration centered on comprehensive skill improvement, helping Nembhard elevate his game throughout the season.
Hart expressed admiration for Nembhard’s commitment, stating,
“From the first time I met him I could tell how much he loves the game and how much he loves to work. He would come work out with me at 6 AM sometimes and late at night in between his responsibilities with the Mavs. The credit goes to him and his sacrifice to gain a competitive edge while getting better. He is an example of why my saying is ‘Trust Your Work’ because that’s exactly what he did and it’s paying off!”
– Jeremie Hart, Player Development Coach
Over 38 games, Nembhard has averaged 6.7 points and 4.9 assists per contest while shooting 37.9 percent from three-point range. With the two-way contract game limit now irrelevant, the Mavericks can fully integrate him into their rotation heading into next season.
Role Clarity Emerges in Lineup Following Jones’ Departure
With Tyus Jones no longer on the roster, Nembhard and Brandon Williams have assumed primary control of Dallas’s point guard responsibilities. This change, reminiscent of earlier in the season, offers head coach Jason Kidd greater latitude to experiment with Nembhard’s role and gauge how he fits into future plans. Nembhard has already demonstrated his capacity to contribute reliably as a rotation player, and should he develop into a high-level bench contributor, it would significantly elevate the Mavericks’ backcourt options.
Pairing Nembhard with Cooper Flagg as foundational pieces can create a promising duo that Dallas hopes will steer the franchise’s growth in the coming years.
Strong Partnership Between Flagg and Nembhard Sets Stage for Success
During NBA Summer League play, fans witnessed the instant chemistry between Cooper Flagg and Ryan Nembhard, which bodes well for their collaboration once Flagg returns from a left midfoot sprain. Although Flagg will miss additional time recovering, the expectation is that their effective teamwork will resume seamlessly upon his return.
Nembhard’s pass-first approach plays a vital role in fostering teamwork and offensive cohesion—qualities highly valued by the Mavericks as they build their roster. Both he and Flagg prioritize winning and team success over individual statistics, embodying the traits Dallas seeks as they transition into this new era under Kidd’s leadership.
The organization is focused on acquiring players who demonstrate toughness, selflessness, and strong defensive capabilities. Nembhard exemplifies many of these characteristics, reinforcing why his contract upgrade was a timely and strategic decision. With Jones unlikely to fit long-term into Dallas’s system, ensuring Nembhard’s presence solidifies a critical component of the team’s foundational structure moving forward.
