The Dallas Mavericks signed undrafted free agent Ryan Nembhard to a two-year deal.
In an effort to build out their young core around Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks did what fans long expected them to: sign rookie point guard Ryan Nembhard to a standard NBA contract.
Touted as one of the best undrafted players this season, Nembhard, brother of Indiana's Andrew, has averaged 6.7 points and 4.9 assists per game so far. For good measure, he is also shooting 37.9% from 3-point range.
Of course, with Kyrie Irving poised to return next season and Max Christie's continued breakout this year, Nembhard will likely remain a second-unit player for Dallas long into his new two-year deal.
However, as fans celebrate the move, no one should be happier than Cooper Flagg.
Why Move Works Out for Cooper Flagg
The Mavericks have asked Flagg to do a little bit of everything in his rookie season, and when he's healthy, he's risen to the occasion.
Flagg might no longer be the betting favorite to win Rookie of the Year, but fans and front offices alike expect him to quickly become one of the best players in the world.
That's a lot of pressure for a teenager, but so far, pressure hasn't really seemed to faze him.
Flagg has spent much of the season as the Mavericks' starting point guard, but next season, with Irving back in the fold, expect Flagg to play more off-ball, resulting in higher efficiency and more energy saved for the defensive end of the floor. Flagg has already seen success playing with a traditional point guard, as the Mavericks have a -1.6 point differential when Flagg and Nembahrd are both on the floor, the third-best of any two-man lineup Flagg has played with this season.
The second-best two-man lineup? That would be Flagg and Brandon Williams, proving that the rookie is at his best when he's playing with a true floor general. When Irving returns, expect him and Flagg to take over as one of the league's top duos, even though one player is past his prime, and one is just getting his career started.
By signing Nembhard, the Mavericks have signalled that they know "Point Flagg" is not a long-term answer, and it seems that the front office understands that in order to get the most out of their rookie, they have to surround him with complementary talent, not just capable players.
