Nembhard finished with four points (2-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and two assists in 11 minutes for Canada in Friday's 110-84 World Cup Qualifiers win over Puerto Rico.
Nembhard played a minor role off the bench in Canada's stacked backcourt that features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Andrew Nembhard. The second-year guard is expected to fight for a rotation role in Dallas after the team picked up his $2.15 million team option.
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Mavericks' Ryan Nembhard: Scores 15 points in loss to Bucks
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Nembhard finished with 15 points (4-11 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds and three assists over 21 minutes in Saturday's 97-83 California Classic Summer League loss to Milwaukee.
Although Nembhard didn't have a quality shooting performance, he still had a team-high 15 points. The 23-year-old recently had his $2.2 million team option picked up by the Mavericks. While he wasn't a routine producer for the Mavs during the 2025-26 campaign, he stepped up when needed by averaging 9.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 0.4 steals on 40.4 percent shooting from deep across 25.7 minutes in 27 regular-season starts. Nembhard likely won't see consistent playing time for Dallas in 2026-27, though he could receive sporadic opportunities to start when necessary.
The Grizzlies traded Aldama (knee) to the Mavericks on Wednesday in exchange for AJ Johnson, a protected 2030 Warriors first-round pick and two second-round picks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
After spending the first five years of his career with Memphis, Aldama will head to Dallas, where he figures to provide frontcourt depth while competing for playing time with Morez Johnson and Daniel Gafford. Aldama's 2025-26 campaign was cut short due to a right knee injury, and he underwent an arthroscopic procedure in mid-March. Over 43 regular-season games (11 starts) last season, he averaged a career-high 14.0 points along with 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 combined steals-plus-blocks in 27.9 minutes per contest.
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Mavericks' AJ Johnson: Heading to Memphis
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The Grizzlies traded Santi Aldama (knee) to the Mavericks on Wednesday in exchange for Johnson, a protected 2030 Warriors first-round pick and two future second-round picks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
After dealing Ja Morant (elbow) earlier this week, Memphis is continuing its rebuilding efforts. Johnson, who was part of last year's Anthony Davis (finger) trade to the Wizards, will have a chance at a fresh start with a young Grizzlies club, though Johnson will face plenty of competition for playing time on the wing. The 2024 first-rounder averaged only 9.5 minutes per game over 48 regular-season appearances between Dallas and Washington last season.
Mavericks' Moussa Cisse: Extended qualifying offer
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The Mavericks extended a two-way qualifying offer to Cisse on Monday, Kevin Gray Jr. of AllDLLS.com reports.
Cisse is now a two-way restricted free agent and can seek a better deal elsewhere. He appeared in 38 regular-season games (one start) for Dallas last season, during which he averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 13.9 minutes per tilt. He also shot 57.4 percent from the field.
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Mavericks' Ryan Nembhard: Team option picked up
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The Mavericks picked up Nembhard's $2.2 million team option Monday, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein.
This was a no-brainer for the Mavericks. Nembhard began the 2025-26 season on a two-way deal, but he played his way onto a standard contract. Across 60 regular-season games, he averaged 6.6 points, 5.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds.
Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Not ready to resume running
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Lively (foot) still hasn't progressed to running yet, per Christian Clark of The Athletic.
Lively is walking and lifting weights, though he's not quite ready to enter the next phase of his rehab. The 22-year-old big man is recovering from right foot surgery, which cut his season short in December of last year, and it remains uncertain if he'll be a full participant in training camp this fall. The Mavericks did take Morez Johnson with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to improve their frontcourt, but Lively remains the most likely candidate to open next season as Dallas' starting center.
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Mavericks' Naji Marshall: Role undetermined for 2026-27
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Marshall (hip) has more competition for playing time after the Mavericks chose Morez Johnson with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Marshall was one of the bigger fantasy beneficiaries of the various injuries to Dallas' frontcourt in 2025-26, averaging a career-high 15.2 points per game to go with 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals in 29.5 minutes per game over 74 regular-season appearances (47 starts). Dallas could lose Khris Middleton in unrestricted free agency this offseason, and Klay Thompson is also a rumored trade candidate, so Marshall still has a chance to battle with Max Christie for the top spot at shooting guard next year even though Johnson could create a crunch for minutes in the frontcourt.
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Mavericks' Cooper Flagg: Seeking better efficiency in Year 2
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Flagg (ankle) could be working alongside a new member of the starting lineup after Dallas selected Morez Johnson with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
P.J. Washington and either Dereck Lively (foot) or Daniel Gafford remain the early favorites to comprise the Mavericks' starting frontcourt in 2026-27, but Johnson certainly poses a significant risk to that projection. Dallas is set to finally have Kyrie Irving back in the fold next year following his knee surgery, and the star guard's presence might have more of an impact on Flagg's performance than Johnson's. That in mind, Flagg is in jeopardy of seeing a downtick in usage, but he shot just 29.5 percent from deep during his rookie campaign and could see more open looks from downtown with Irving in the lineup.
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Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: More competition for minutes
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Gafford will face increased competition for minutes during the 2026-27 season after Dallas selected Morez Johnson with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Gafford started 44 of the 55 games he appeared in last season, but there's a new head coach in Dallas, and the Mavericks just drafted one of his favorite prospects. With Dereck Lively expected to be back after recovering from foot surgery, Gafford will likely face stiff competition for frontcourt minutes during the 2026-27 campaign.
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Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Position on depth chart in jeopardy
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Lively (foot) faces increased competition for minutes heading into the 2026-27 campaign, especially with the Mavericks selecting Morez Johnson with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Lively hasn't lived up to expectations through his first three seasons in the NBA. Although the 22-year-old is a talented player, the real concern is his durability. After appearing in 55 games as a rookie, Lively played in 36 contests in his second year. However, things were worse in the 2025-26 campaign, with the 2023 No. 12 overall pick suiting up for only seven games before eventually undergoing season-ending foot surgery. Dallas has plenty of big bodies entering the season, though it's unknown how head coach Dusty May will divide the workload. One thing is clear; time is running out for Lively to prove he can stay healthy. In fact, it may already be too late. With that in mind, Johnson isn't a true center, but even if the former Wolverine plays the position in a limited capacity for the Mavericks in 2026-27, he might surpass Lively on the depth chart sooner rather than later.
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Mavericks' P.J. Washington: In danger of losing minutes?
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Washington (elbow) could be in danger of losing minutes during the 2026-27 campaign, especially if Morez Johnson and Tobi Lawal develop faster than anticipated.
Washington agreed to a four-year extension in Sept. 2025 and is currently committed to the Mavericks for the next four seasons. The 27-year-old averaged 14.2 points in 2025-26, his second-highest mark since entering the league. However, despite his scoring contributions, he logged only 56 games, one fewer than he played during the 2024-25 campaign. While durability is a concern, Washington still has plenty to offer, considering he can play on both ends of the floor while shifting to multiple positions during a given contest. The Mavericks added Johnson and Lawal in the 2026 NBA Draft. Although those players might not be an immediate threat to claim a spot in the starting lineup, Washington could find himself coming off the bench regularly at some point in the upcoming season, which may logically result in a decline in production. Of course, that is assuming he remains in Dallas.
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