‘We Can Make Something Special Out Of Here’: Walter Clayton Jr. On Joining Dallas Mavericks, Lessons From Rookie Season
INDIANAPOLIS — Walter Clayton Jr. sees a good core on the Dallas Mavericks, with young players and veterans he can learn from, the guard said Friday before Dallas faced the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Dallas signed Clayton to a two-way contract Wednesday.
The Memphis Grizzlies waived Clayton on Monday, and no team claimed him before Wednesday’s waiver deadline, as Dallas Sports Journal reported. He wears No. 1 and did not play in Wednesday’s 128-110 loss at the Houston Rockets.
Walter Clayton Jr. On Joining The Dallas Mavericks
Dallas has new faces everywhere from its coaching staff to its roster this season, starting with first-year coach Dusty May. Clayton likes how the Mavericks play.
“I think it’s just a great system. The way they play, they obviously got something new, a lot of new faces, whether that’s staff, players,” Clayton told Dallas Sports Journal. “Obviously I think they got a good thing going, and I’m just glad to be a part of it.”
Clayton took an unofficial visit to Florida Atlantic while May coached there, May said Wednesday, and later roomed with May’s son Jack at Florida. Jack May was a walk-on for the Gators in 2023-24, Clayton’s first season there after transferring from Iona. In 2025, Clayton led Florida to the national championship and was named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
Cooper Flagg is 19. Kyrie Irving is 34. Clayton sees a group with older players who have been in the league a long time and younger ones still coming up.
“Obviously, we’ve got some younger guys and then we’ve got some very older guys that we can learn from who have been doing it for a while,” Clayton explained. “So I think it’s just a good group, good core. I think we can make something special out of here.”
Clayton On Lessons From His Rookie Season With Utah Jazz And Memphis Grizzlies
The Washington Wizards drafted Clayton 18th overall in 2025 and sent his rights to the Utah Jazz. Utah traded him to Memphis on Feb. 3 in the deal that sent Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Jazz. Over 69 games as a rookie, he averaged 7.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists and shot 38.4% from the field, 30.7% from 3-point range, and 90.1% from the free-throw line.
In 24 games with Memphis after the trade, Clayton averaged 9.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. Staying positive over 82 games is what he took from his first NBA season.
“It’s just a long season. You’ve got to stay positive throughout it, 82 games,” Clayton said. “So just come in, show up, put your work in every day.”
Florida went 36-4 in its title season. In the NBA, the prep time between games is shorter, according to Clayton, and managing his time matters more.
“Less prep time. Obviously got to be more intentional with your work,” Clayton said. “Obviously resting your body as well as still getting your work in. So I think just managing your time is a big part of it.”
Clayton is working on two things in his second season. Running the team as a point guard is one of them.
“Just being more consistent on the defensive end. That’s one thing,” Clayton said. “Handling the ball, just being a point guard, making sure the team is in order, organizing everyone on the floor.”
On a two-way contract, Clayton can be active for up to 50 regular-season games, and he is not eligible for the postseason unless Dallas converts the deal to a standard contract. The Mavericks can also send him to the Texas Legends, their G League affiliate. Tip-off against Indiana is set for 6 p.m. CT.
