Walter Clayton Jr. is now in the mix for Dallas, and the Mavericks are betting that his game can help patch one of their biggest issues. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Clayton cleared waivers and signed a two-way deal with the Mavericks earlier today.
It is not a cure-all, and nobody should mistake it for one. Dallas still has real problems in the backcourt, especially when it comes to shot creation and perimeter shooting. But this move at least gives the Mavericks something they were missing in their group of two-way players: an actual initiator.
Before waiving John Poulakidas and adding Clayton, Dallas had three off-ball players in Poulakidas, Jett Howard, and Tobi Lawal under contract for the preseason. That left the group heavy on finishers and light on someone who could start the action. Clayton changes that balance.
The need is obvious behind Kyrie Irving, where the Mavericks are still thin. Sergio De Larrea and Marcus Sasser are the only other point guards on the roster, and after last season’s 56-loss campaign, the backcourt could use help anywhere it can find it. Clayton is a swing on upside, but he brings a skill set Dallas badly needs.
As a rookie, Clayton averaged 7.8 points and 4.0 assists across 69 games, showing he can score and set the table. He can create his own shot, make plays for others, hit open looks, and attack the paint. That kind of versatility is exactly why Dallas deserves credit for turning Poulakidas’ roster spot into a top-20 pick from last year’s draft.
Poulakidas, to be clear, did his part while he was there. His shooting was a real asset, and Dallas needed that too.
But Clayton’s all-around package may matter more for what the Mavericks are trying to build. They need someone who can run the offense in short bursts and also space the floor, and his college resume gives them a reason to believe he can do both.
That resume is stronger than he tends to get credit for. Clayton helped lead Florida to the 2025 National Championship with clutch shot-making, 3-point shooting, passing, and creation. The upside he showed there was enough for Dallas to take the chance.
His first NBA stop was less efficient. Clayton shot 38.4 percent from the field and 30.7 percent from deep as a rookie with the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies. Still, the free-throw number stood out: 90.1 percent at the line.
What gives Dallas hope is what he did at Florida. As a senior, Clayton shot 38.6 percent from three on 7.8 attempts per game, and plenty of those were tough pull-up threes.
He played without fear, and the signs are there that he can become a high-level shooter at the next level. His ballhandling is good enough to manufacture his own looks, and his float game and mid-range pull-up should make defenses respect him.
For the Mavericks, this is a useful first move. Clayton brings self-creation, shooting, and playmaking to a backcourt that needs all three. If he turns in a strong season, he could even earn a standard contract in Dallas.
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Dwight Powells long Mavericks run has come to an end, and for a player who spent years as one of the more familiar faces on the roster, the timing made the news land with a little extra weight. Dallas waived Powell along with guards Seth Lundy and John Poulakidas, closing the book on a tenure that saw Powell become one of the franchises steadiest presences and a part of multiple playoff pushes.
Dusty May praised Powells professionalism and the way he contributed to the team, which only sharpened the sense that this was a meaningful move rather than a routine roster shuffle. Powell ranks fifth in team history in games played, so any exit like this naturally invites questions about what comes next for the frontcourt and how the Mavericks are shaping their depth chart as they keep moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Make A Surprising Guard Move Right Before Opening Night
Just before opening night, the Mavericks added another young guard to a roster that is still taking shape around rookie Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving. Walter Clayton Jr., a former first-round NBA draft pick and the 2025-26 NCAA mens basketball national champion, is heading to Dallas on a two-way deal after his time with the Memphis Grizzlies ended.
The fit also comes with a familiar face. Clayton is reuniting with coach Dusty May, who once recruited him in college, giving the Mavericks a connection point as they keep sorting out the back end of a rebuilding roster. For a team looking for upside and flexibility, Clayton arrives with a fresh opportunity and a chance to make the most of a late move before the season gets going. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Suddenly Have A Real Shot At A Guard Fans Know
Walter Clayton Jr. hitting the waiver wire after Memphis moved on ahead of the roster deadline has put him squarely back on the radar for teams looking to add guard depth, and Dallas is among the clubs keeping close tabs. The Mavericks have room on a two-way roster spot, which gives them a path to take a swing on a player with enough name recognition to already feel familiar to fans who followed his rise.
The fit is not just about opportunity, either. There is a built-in comfort level between Clayton and Dallas coach Dusty May, which could matter if the guard gets through waivers and starts weighing where he has the clearest path to minutes this season. Sacramento is also in the mix, so Claytons next stop may come down to which team can offer the sharper pitch once the waiver process plays out. [Read more 🡒]