Mavericks' overlooked rookie is already forming a deadly duo with Cooper Flagg

With the NBA's Summer League tipping off on Thursday, Dallas Mavericks fans are anticipating the long-awaited debut of Cooper Flagg and multiple other rookies. With Flagg expected to take a bulk of the ball-handling load on the offensive side of the ball, fans are excited to see the No. 1 overall pick make his impact at the professional level for the first time.

While Flagg will be the star of the show against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, Mavericks fans are also anticipating the debut of Ryan Nembhard, who has the potential to make an impact on the Mavericks' rotation this coming season. With the guard position being one of the team's biggest needs, Nembhard has the potential to make a day-one impact, and potentially take an increased role despite being on a two-way contract.

As Dallas plans to travel to Las Vegas today, the Mavericks have already held multiple practices with their Summer League roster in anticipation of potentially making a deep run this season with their new-look roster. While multiple headlines, including Flagg's impressive play being the main talking point, Nembhard and Flagg have quickly formed a dynamic duo that could be deadly by the time the regular season rolls around.

Flagg and Nembhard are proving to be an impressive duo already

When the draft concluded, the Mavericks had already changed the course of franchise history forever after selecting Flagg with the first overall pick; however, they had failed to trade back into the draft to select a guard like they were reportedly interested in doing. While fans were ready to call it a night, the Mavericks shocked everyone when they signed Nembhard to a two-way contract after the second round of the draft had concluded.

Nembhard didn't just impress in all four years as a collegiate player split between Creighton and Gonzaga, but he set multiple records, including leading all players in assists this past season. To call Nembhard a true passer would be an understatement, considering the 22-year-old can score the ball at an elite rate as well and dictate the pace of the offense through the pick and roll.

While Nembhard went undrafted, by many accounts, he could have easily been a middle to late second-round draft pick and can easily impact the Mavericks' rotation in his rookie season if he and Flagg truly become something special. After just one day of practice, it was already clear that Nembhard's passing alongside Flagg could become something the Mavericks can't afford to live without.

In his post-practice interview, Nembhard was asked plenty of questions about Flagg, but all he had to say was great things about his teammate.

"He's a good dude, super athletic, seems like he understands the game, high energy, I think it'll be super fun to play with him," Nembhard said.

Nembhard would go on to mention how he and Flagg both have high IQ when it comes to the sport, and that their connection would be "smooth" and "seamless" based on that. While the two have shared little time on the court together, it's already clear to see that Nembhard's connection with Flagg could be something that the two carry into their professional careers.

Even Summer League head coach Josh Broghamer mentioned Flagg and Nembhard's compatibility in the two-man game after practice on Tuesday, and we could see some of their on-court chemistry as soon as tomorrow night.

While fans have high hopes for Nembhard, especially if he balls out in Summer League, they shouldn't expect the rookie to take leaps and bounds right away. It would be understandable to expect a few good performances here and there from Nembhard, but there will be growing pains as he molds his game into the NBA-level guard talent he can become.