Walter Clayton Jr. should be the first step in fixing the Mavericks' backcourt

Walter Clayton Jr. signed a two-way deal with the Dallas Mavericks after clearing waivers earlier today, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, and this is the exact move their backcourt needed.

While Clayton alone won't solve Dallas' problems, particularly their lack of shot creation and shooting, he's at least a good start. The Mavericks needed more balance in their group of two-way players, as they had three off-ball players in John Poulakidas, Jett Howard, and Tobi Lawal under contract for the preseason, but after waiving Poulakidas and signing Clayton, this group finally gets an initiator rather than having three play finishers.

Walter Clayton Jr. gives the Mavericks another option at point guard

The Mavericks still have a long way to go before they have adequate depth behind Kyrie Irving, as Sergio De Larrea and Marcus Sasser are the only other point guards on the roster, but Clayton will provide valuable depth on a team that lost 56 games a season ago. Their backcourt needs all of the help it can get after how last season's guard play looked, and picking him is a swing on big potential.

Clayton averaged 7.8 points and 4.0 assists per game in 69 games as a rookie, showing his value as a scorer and table setter. He displayed an ability to create his own shot, create for others, knock down open shots, and get to the paint, and the Mavs' front office deserves some credit for turning Poulakidas' former roster spot into a top-20 pick from last year's draft.

Poulakidas deserves credit for how he played in Dallas, as his shooting was remarkable and a skill they needed, but Clayton's skill set is arguably more crucial. The Mavericks need someone who can run the offense in spurts while also knocking down shots on the perimeter, and his college tape provides hope that he can do these things in the NBA as well.

Clayton's resume is more promising than he gets credit for

He helped lead the Florida Gators to the National Championship in 2025 with his clutch shot making, 3-point shooting, passing, and creation, and the upside that he showed in college was enough reason for Dallas to take a chance on him. Clayton struggled with efficiency as a rookie for the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies, as he shot 38.4 percent from the field and 30.7 percent from downtown.

His free-throw shooting was promising, as he shot 90.1 percent from the charity stripe, but his college stats are what should give Mavs fans hope. Clayton shot 38.6 percent from three on 7.8 attempts per game as a senior at Florida, and his shot diet consisted of some tough threes off the dribble.

He was fearless in college, and all of the signs are there that he can be a big-time shooter in the NBA. Clayton's ball handling is good enough to generate open looks for himself, and his float game and mid-range pull-up should force defenses to defend him honestly.

Now that the Mavs signed Clayton, this is a great first step toward strengthening their backcourt and getting Kyrie some help. Clayton will provide the self creation, shooting, and playmaking that Dallas is missing, and a strong season could result in him landing a standard contract with the Mavs.

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