Grading every Dallas Mavericks player ahead of 2024 NBA Playoffs

5. A.J Lawson

Heading into this season, A.J. Lawson was on a two-way deal with the Dallas Mavericks and was pretty much a nonfactor in the rotation. He got some minutes at the end of last season and flashed his potential in some games, but the future seemed murky regarding his future in Dallas.

One event earlier in the season changed this, and now the Mavs have Lawson on an extremely team-friendly contract over the next few years. When Dallas traded away Seth Curry, Grant Williams, and Richaun Holmes at the trade deadline while acquiring P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, this created an open roster spot.

Dallas used this roster spot to convert Lawson's two-way deal to a standard contract, and Lawson has the potential to become a rotation piece for the Mavs one day.

This season for Dallas, Lawson is averaging 3.2 points and 1.2 rebounds per game while shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 26 percent from downtown in 42 games. Lawson may get consistent minutes one day, as his defense, athleticism, and potential are all intriguing.

Lawson gets a C- on the year as he never proved that he deserved rotation minutes and struggled as a shooter. He has a handful of players in front of him when it comes to playing time, so evaluating his future with the team is challenging.