Denver Nuggets Signed Ryan Nembhard to Two-Way Deal
The 23-year-old guard joined Denver after clearing waivers following a brief stint with the Charlotte Hornets.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Basketball
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The Denver Nuggets added depth to their roster by signing 23-year-old guard Ryan Nembhard to a two-way contract. The 5-foot-11 playmaker will shuttle between Denver and the Grand Rapids G-League affiliate.
Why it matters
The signing provides the Nuggets with essential backup point guard options. The team expects Nembhard to play significant minutes throughout the 2026-27 season as they look to bolster their backcourt rotation.
Nembhard brings professional experience from 60 games in his rookie season, where he shot 40.4% from 3-point range over a 27-game stretch. His career-best performance includes a 28-point game against Denver on December 1, 2025.
The players
Ryan Nembhard
He is a 23-year-old guard who has previously played for the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks, and Charlotte Hornets.
Denver Nuggets
The professional basketball team competes in the National Basketball Association and plays its home games at Ball Arena.
The details
Nembhard lands in Denver after a whirlwind period that included trades from Dallas to Atlanta and then to Charlotte. He occupies one of the three available two-way spots on the Nuggets roster as the organization looks to address backcourt depth.
Timeline
December 1, 2025: Nembhard scored 28 points against the Nuggets.
June 29, 2026: The Dallas Mavericks picked up Nembhard's team option.
July 19, 2026: Dallas traded Nembhard to the Atlanta Hawks.
September 22, 2026: Atlanta traded Nembhard to the Charlotte Hornets.
October 5, 2026: Nembhard signed with the Nuggets after clearing waivers.
Season Trajectory
This move reflects the ongoing adjustment of the Nuggets' roster to balance experienced rotation players with developmental talent. Integrating a guard like Nembhard into the two-way system provides the franchise with insurance for potential injuries while managing salary cap flexibility.
Nembhard will compete for bench minutes in the Denver rotation, directly impacting the team's depth chart behind primary playmakers. His ability to shoot from deep could provide a viable option for spot minutes depending on the health and performance of the starting backcourt.
The takeaway
The addition of Nembhard suggests the Nuggets are prioritizing backcourt depth through young, journeyman talent. Fans should monitor his G-League performance as a primary indicator of his readiness for increased minutes in the NBA rotation.
What happens next
The Denver Nuggets are expected to waive guard KJ Simpson in the near future to finalize the allocation of their two-way roster spots.
Further reading
For more updates on roster moves, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by K99 - Northern Colorado's New Country.
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