For the second time within just two months, Ryan Nembhard, the point guard from Gonzaga Bulldogs, has been traded again. This time, the Atlanta Hawks sent him, along with guard Buddy Hield and cash considerations, to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for forward Dorian Finney-Smith, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk reports that Charlotte intends to waive Nembhard, leaving the 23-year-old without a team at the moment. However, this doesn’t mean he won’t attract interest, as several teams with available two-way roster spots, including the frontrunner Denver Nuggets, as well as the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards, could be potential landing spots.
During his rookie season, Nembhard averaged 6.6 points per game while shooting 41.5% from the field, 35.6% from three-point range, and 80.6% from the free-throw line. He also contributed 5.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds over 19.5 minutes in 60 games. Notably, he set an NBA rookie record with 23 assists in the Dallas Mavericks’ final game of the 2025-26 season against the Chicago Bulls.
As an undrafted lead guard with a natural ability to manage the pace and rhythm of the offense, Nembhard averaged 8.0 points, 8.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks across two NBA Summer League games with Dallas before being sidelined by an undisclosed illness that kept him out of the remaining three contests.
Additionally, Nembhard represented Canada in the third window of the 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers during the summer.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University alumnus based in the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
Fan Take: This move highlights the volatile nature of the NBA’s talent market, especially for young players still carving out their niche. For basketball fans, tracking Nembhard’s next destination will be intriguing, as his playmaking skills could make a significant impact on whichever team gives him a stable opportunity.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
