When Nico Harrison and the Dallas Mavericks shockingly traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis on February 1, Mavs fans feared that free agents wouldn't want to come to Dallas since Harrison went behind Doncic's back to get the trade done. They feared that the handling of the Doncic trade would send free agents running the other way, but Ryan Nembhard just proved that isn't the case.
After a practice last week, before the team left for Las Vegas for Summer League, Nembhard talked about joining the Mavericks and how this was an opportunity that he was extremely excited for.
"I'm super excited to be a Mav," Nembhard said. "I wouldn't want to be in no other place but here, so I'm super happy I'm in this position."
Nembhard's decision sends loud message about Mavericks' reputation
Nembhard doubled down on his desire and excitement to become a Maverick and play for Harrison's squad after his dominant Summer League debut against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, as he was asked about why he wanted to come to Dallas despite potentially having the chance to get drafted in the 40s or 50s of the second round.
"I just wanted to go to the right fit," Nembhard said. "Once we get later in that draft, it's a bunch of two-ways, so you want to go to the right spot that feels like you have an ability to play for their program, and the ability to impact winning over there. So I felt like that was the spot for me."
The agents and camps of players who are projected to be selected late in the second round often push for their client to go undrafted so they can land in the right situation, and that sounds like what could have happened with Nembhard. He was one of the best passers in all of college basketball, and from what fans have seen from him so far, he should have definitely been drafted, as he looks like the type of player who will stick at the NBA level.
Nembhard noted that the Mavericks were the organization that "showed the most love" to him during the predraft process, and he believes that they made it clear how badly they wanted him. He liked the fact that Dallas has some lob threats and veterans to learn from as he develops, and he believes that he could potentially earn a contract with the Mavericks in the future.
With all of this being said, and the excitement that Nembhard had to be a Maverick, it seems like the notion that players don't want to come to Dallas is completely false. Even after Harrison's Doncic trade, it seems like Dallas is still an attractive destination, and Nembhard potentially turning down the chance to be drafted to sign with the Mavericks as an undrafted free agent.
Nembhard likely had dreams of being selected in the draft for his entire life, but he turned that down to become a Maverick. While Mavericks fans may never forgive Harrison for his decision to trade Doncic, it doesn't seem like figures from around the league fear for their clients to come to Dallas after all.
Harrison still has countless connections around the NBA, and even though some Mavericks fans don't want to admit it, Dallas is still an attractive free agent destination.
