Mavericks shouldn't pass up the unexpected chance to sign Walter Clayton Jr.

With just two days until their first regular-season game, the Dallas Mavericks have a clear problem to fix: a lack of shot creation and backcourt depth behind Kyrie Irving. This was one of their biggest problems last season while Irving was sidelined with an ACL tear, and it looks like this issue could continue this season if they don't balance the roster.

The Mavericks didn't add many creators or ball handlers this offseason, and they're clearly going to need more shot creation off the bench if they want to have a bounce-back year after dropping 56 games last season. The roster is filled with play finishers on the wing and not enough initiators.

With one two-way roster spot remaining after waiving John Poulakidas over the weekend, Dallas now has an unexpected option to consider: Walter Clayton Jr.

Walter Clayton Jr. brings what the Mavericks lack

The Memphis Grizzlies shockingly waived Clayton after a promising rookie season, and the Mavs should consider signing him to a two-way contract to give them more playmaking, scoring, and a true point guard off the bench. Dallas' other two players on two-way deals are forwards, Jett Howard and Tobi Lawal, and signing a point guard to balance this group would be a smart move.

Clayton averaged 7.8 points and 4.0 assists per game as a rookie for the Utah Jazz and Memphis, showcasing his potential as both a scorer and passer. He dished out 7+ assists 11 times last season and scored 15+ points seven times.

He showed enough as a rookie to deserve a roster spot somewhere, and considering that he was the No. 18 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after helping lead the Florida Gators to the National Championship in 2025, the Mavs would be wise to take a swing on him. Clayton shows up in big moments, finishes well in transition, and can play both guard spots, and his potential fit in Dallas is something that Mavs fans have been thinking about since before he was drafted.

Bringing in Clayton would give the Mavs' backcourt the depth it needs

The Mavs have already shown they like to make moves for former first-round picks who were underappreciated, as shown by their moves for Zaccharie Risacher, Marcus Sasser, and Howard this summer. Signing Clayton would align with this ideology, and it would give the Mavs someone with a playstyle they lack.

The former Gator can score at all three levels, create for himself, and be a table-setter for others. The Mavericks would need all of these things from him if they sign him, as they need some more backcourt depth behind Irving, and Clayton would be a strong addition to cap off a productive offseason.

He utilizes his change of pace to get to his spots inside the arc, and he has a solid mid-range pull-up jumper and a decent floater. Clayton can also be trusted as a ball handler in the pick-and-roll, as he has a good sense of when to go score or feed the ball to an open teammate.

His playmaking would have the chance to take another step in the right direction while learning behind Irving, and while his efficiency wasn't great as a rookie, he'd have plenty of time to grow in the Mavs organization. They're patiently building for the future around Cooper Flagg, and given Clayton's pedigree as a shot creator, they should give him a chance.

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