The Dallas Mavericks officially snagged Walter Clayton Jr. on a two-way contract Wednesday, bringing the No. 18 pick from the 2025 NBA Draft onto their final roster. This dude was just waived by Memphis on Monday after they couldn’t find a trade partner for him, and Dallas wasted no time getting him after he cleared league waivers. Talk about a seriously smart move for a team that desperately needs backcourt help.
From Jazz to Grizzlies to a Mavs Opportunity
Clayton’s rookie season was a bit of a rollercoaster. He kicked it off with the Utah Jazz, then got flipped to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of that massive Jaren Jackson Jr. trade package. Across 69 games with both teams, he averaged 7.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. For the Grizzlies specifically, he upped those numbers to 9.7 points and 5.6 assists over 24 games, including six starts. Early on, he struggled to find his rhythm, no doubt about it. But then, it clicked. This guy found his footing big time towards the end of the season. We are talking double-digit scoring in 11 of his last 18 games! And his shooting? In April, Clayton went off, hitting 47% from the field and a ridiculous 50% from 3-point range. That late-season surge helped bring his overall rookie percentages up to 37% from the field and 30% from deep. That’s the kind of momentum you want to see a player carry into a new situation.
What This Two-Way Deal Means for Dallas
So, what’s a two-way contract mean for Clayton and the Mavericks? He’s eligible for up to 50 games this season, but unless they convert him to a full-time deal, he’s out for any postseason or play-in action. He’ll pull in half of the NBA’s rookie-scale salary, which is a solid deal for the Mavs, too. But here’s the real kicker: this signing adds much-needed depth to a depleted Mavericks backcourt. This isn’t just a flyer; Clayton could legit see playing time quickly as Dallas looks to shore up their bench rotation, especially when Kyrie Irving isn’t on the floor. Don’t forget, this isn’t just some raw talent; Clayton was named the Most Outstanding Player in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament, averaging 18.3 points a game and leading the University of Florida to their third national title. That’s championship pedigree, folks.
With the Mavericks’ backcourt needing a serious boost, Clayton is in a prime spot to earn immediate playing time. It will be exciting to see how he translates that late-season momentum and college championship experience into a consistent role this season. The stage is set for him to make some real noise.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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