Tobi Lawal is making it hard for the Mavericks to ignore him.
He’s still on a two-way contract, but early in preseason he’s flashing the kind of two-way value that can squeeze a player into a rotation faster than anyone expects. The appeal starts with his defense-first approach, but it’s not limited to that. Against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night, Lawal finished with 16 points, tying John Poulakidas for Dallas’ high score, and did plenty of damage as a cutter attacking the rim from different spots on the floor.
That cutting ability matters because it gives Dallas something immediate while the jumper is still a work in progress. Lawal hasn’t shown a polished outside shot yet, but he’s already finding ways to impact the game with movement, energy and effort. At 6-foot-8, he brings the kind of athletic package that jumps out fast: quick laterally, explosive off the floor and active on the defensive end throughout preseason.
After the loss to New Orleans, Lawal made it clear how he sees himself fitting in.
“Definitely a great experience…I want to be the best defender I possibly can," Lawal said in regard to guarding the likes of Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III. "I’m not going to say the best in the league yet, cause I’m not there yet, but hopefully one day I am.
I don’t care who it is. As long as I can guard anyone, I’m gonna learn, and I’m gonna be relentless too.
So I’m gonna keep coming back…”
That mindset is part of what makes him intriguing. Dallas is crowded on the wing, and a two-way deal means he has an uphill climb no matter how well he plays. But Lawal’s buy-in on defense, paired with his cutting and efficiency, has already put him on the radar.
There’s also a bigger projection here if his body fills out. Add some muscle to a wiry frame, and he could eventually be the kind of defender who can take on one through five. For Mavericks fans trying to get a read on his game, the closest comparison in this source is a lengthier Derrick Jones Jr. on defense, even if Lawal isn’t nearly as advanced offensively yet.
Dallas already has plenty of length and athleticism on the wing, but Lawal stands out even in that group. The source notes that none of the Mavericks’ wings are as athletic as Lawal, including second-year phenom Cooper Flagg.
If a path opens for him this season, the ingredients are there for him to become a meaningful part of the rotation. He still has a long way to go offensively, but his defense-first mentality and his ability as a cutter have already given him a real case for minutes.
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