Mavericks caught sleeping as perfect Kyrie Irving replacement lands elsewhere

On Wednesday night, the Dallas Mavericks' main priority for the 2025 NBA Draft was drafting Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick. The Mavericks have been zeroed in on drafting Flagg for weeks, and they didn't entertain any trade offers for the pick.

That doesn't mean that the Mavs haven't been involved in other trade rumors though, as Dallas is looking to trade into the first round at some point tonight to secure an additional first-round pick to draft a guard, and they missed the perfect chance to replace Kyrie Irving until he returns from his ACL tear as Walter Clayton Jr. was drafted by the Washington Wizards with the No. 18 pick, with his rights heading to the Utah Jazz.

The Jazz now have a perfect young guard to join their core, and the Mavericks were caught sleeping as he was drafted much higher than most mock drafts predicted. Dallas was left in the dust, as Clayton Jr. will join a young Western Conference team while the Mavs have yet to trade to acquire an additional first-round pick.

Jazz steal Walter Clayton Jr. from Mavericks

Clayton Jr. was someone who Mavericks fans have wanted them to draft for weeks, and although it would have taken a haul to trade into the top 20, it could have been worth it when considering the impact he could have made in Dallas in year one.

Clayton's potential fit in Dallas would have been unique, as him being 22 years old wouldn't have scared the Mavs away like it could have with other young teams that were eyeing younger players. It would have only made them more intrigued.

Dallas needs players who can help them win right now while also building for the future, and Clayton Jr. could have done all of that and more. In his senior year at Florida, Clayton Jr. averaged 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from downtown.

Clayton Jr.'s big-time shot-making, effect on winning, playmaking, and finishing in transition would have all helped him be a dream replacement for Irving while he rehabs his torn ACL. He would have been capable of running the second unit during Irving's absence, assuming the Mavs would have still signed another stopgap point guard, and he could have been a key piece of the rotation while learning next to Flagg. But Clayton Jr. in Dallas wouldn't have only replaced Irving while he is hurt, he would have also been able to play alongside him.

Clayton Jr.'s off-ball movement and 3-point shooting off the catch would have helped him play the two next to Irving in Dallas when needed, and his skillset is advanced enough to where the Mavs could have used him in any scenario. Dallas truly seemed like the perfect spot for him, but they didn't make a trade to go draft him.

Now, Mavs fans will have to see Clayton Jr. play against Flagg and company multiple times per season, as he could be one of the key contributors for the Jazz for years to come, alongside Ace Bailey. The Jazz have quietly had an incredible first round of the draft thus far, and Mavericks fans will forever be wishing that Nico Harrison pounced on him while he had the chance.