Ryan Nembhard didn’t take long to make his presence felt at Nuggets training camp.
Denver head coach David Adelman said after Friday’s practice that the 23-year-old point guard was the player who stood out most to him, a notable development for a two-way signing that came a couple of days into camp. Adelman said Nembhard impressed with his pressure, his competitiveness, and his ability to direct a team.
"The guy who stood out to me was Ryan Nembhard," Adelman said. "Ryan Nembhard had a great day.
Picking people up full [court]. Competing.
He can run a team. He's been good.
I'm not saying I'm surprised, but he does some things I didn't realize he could do at his size. He had a great day."
Nembhard’s performance only adds to the sense that Denver’s roster may be deeper than expected. Adelman said earlier this week that he had been concerned the Nuggets would only have nine reliable players this season, but training camp has pushed back on that idea. Alpha Diallo, Trevon Brazile, and Cam Whitmore have already made their case, and now Nembhard has joined the mix.
The appeal with Nembhard is easy to understand. Denver got him on a two-way contract after his rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks, where he appeared in 60 games and averaged 6.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists while shooting 41.5% from the field and 35.6% from 3-point range. For an undrafted guard listed at 5'11", that production made him one of the more intriguing value pickups of the summer.
That’s part of why some fans quickly started wondering whether he could become a steadier backup option than Tyus Jones. Adelman, though, has continued to say he trusts Jones in that role, so Nembhard’s path to a bigger job is not exactly wide open. Still, giving him a chance to compete matters, especially if Denver needs another ball-handler to step in.
It would be a surprise if Nembhard moved past Jones as the second-string point guard, but he can still carve out a real role as the next man up if injuries hit the backcourt. Adelman’s comments make it clear the Nuggets are paying attention.
Nembhard has also flashed in preseason action. Through his first two games, he has totaled seven points and nine assists in 33 minutes. That’s a small sample, but it’s enough to keep him in the conversation as camp rolls on.
Adelman also pointed to the defensive end when discussing what Nembhard can bring, saying, "If he gets out there and earns playing time, I think he'll help us in that way," which keeps the door open for the two-way guard to work his way into minutes.
Even so, a rotation spot still looks like a tough climb. Denver has several players pushing for the same limited opportunities, and Nembhard is in a group that includes Whitmore, Brazile, and DaRon Holmes.
All of them appear capable of contributing, but the minutes are not endless. For now, Nembhard has done enough to get noticed - and in a crowded camp, that’s a real step.
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