Mavericks Intend to Upgrade Ryan Nembhard to Standard Contract in January
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The Dallas Mavericks plan to convert rookie guard Ryan Nembhard from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract as soon as league rules allow in early January, according to a report by Marc Stein on The Stein Line.
Nembhard, who went undrafted in June and later accepted a two-way agreement with Dallas, has started at point guard in each of the team’s past five games and has impressed club officials. However, the Mavericks are currently operating with only about $1.29 million in room beneath the second-apron hard cap, preventing them from adding even a prorated minimum-salary player before January 6.
Promoting the 23-year-old on that date would leave Dallas roughly $12,000 below the hard cap, a razor-thin margin that could complicate roster moves later in the season. The organization encountered a similar crunch last year and was unable to bolster the lineup when injuries struck during the second half of the schedule.
Stein notes that a minimum-salary offer might not be enough to secure Nembhard’s signature if his current form continues. Should the Mavericks seek to prevent him from reaching restricted free agency in 2026, they may need to propose a deal above the minimum once the promotion window opens.
Source: Hoops Rumors
