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Ryan Nembhard: Nuggets add remarkable 23-assist passer

Dustin Judge
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg celebrates with guard Ryan Nembhard during a December 2025 game

The Denver Nuggets signed guard Ryan Nembhard to a two-way contract Wednesday, Sept. 30, the team announced. To open a two-way spot, Denver requested waivers on guard KJ Simpson.

The deal was announced by Ben Tenzer, the Nuggets’ executive vice president of basketball operations, and Jonathan Wallace, executive vice president of player personnel, according to the team’s release on NBA.com.

What a two-way deal means for Ryan Nembhard

A two-way contract lets Denver shuttle Nembhard between its NBA roster and its G League affiliate. The 23-year-old from Ontario, Canada, will wear No. 9 for the Nuggets.

What Nembhard brings

As a rookie with the Dallas Mavericks last season, Nembhard played in 60 games and started 27, averaging 6.6 points, 5.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 19.5 minutes, per the Nuggets. He logged four double-doubles, reached double figures in scoring 13 times and had at least 10 assists in six games.

Passing is his calling card. On April 12 against Chicago, Ryan Nembhard handed out 23 assists, making him only the 24th player in NBA history to reach that mark in a game, the team said. He also scored a career-high 28 points with 10 assists against Denver on Dec. 1.

Roster impact

At 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, Ryan Nembhard gives Denver another ball-handler behind its top guards on a roster built around three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. The two-way deal lets the Nuggets develop him in the G League while keeping him available when injuries or rest create a need in the backcourt.

Waiving Simpson frees the two-way spot for a guard with a full season of NBA experience.

Player background

Nembhard went undrafted in 2025 after four college seasons. He spent two years at Creighton, where he was the Big East Rookie of the Year in 2022, before transferring to Gonzaga for his final two seasons. He earned NABC Pacific District first-team honors in 2025, then signed with the Mavericks for the 2025-26 season. His brother, Andrew Nembhard, plays for the Indiana Pacers.

For more Nuggets news, see DeMar DeRozan’s move to Denver and the Nuggets matching an offer sheet for Spencer Jones.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.