A method for providing indeterminate read data latency in a memory system. The method includes determining if a local data packet has been received and storing it into a buffer device. The method also includes determining if the buffer device contains a data packet and determining if an upstream driver for transmitting data packets to a memory controller via an upstream channel is idle, and in response thereto the data packet is transmitted to the upstream driver. The method further includes determining if an upstream data packet has been received and the upstream driver is not idle, then the upstream data packet is stored into the buffer device. The upstream data packet is selectively transmitted to the upstream driver. If the upstream driver is not idle, then any data packets in progress are continued being transmitted to the upstream driver.