‘Appropriate Amount Of Stubbornness’: Utah Jazz Coach Will Hardy Praises Dallas Mavericks Guard Walter Clayton Jr.
DALLAS — Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy called Walter Clayton Jr. a great addition for the Dallas Mavericks before Friday’s NBA Cup game at American Airlines Center. The Utah Jazz traded Clayton to the Memphis Grizzlies in February, midway through his rookie season.
Dallas went on to win 112-100. Clayton finished with 12 points against his former team.
Clayton’s contributions in Dallas go beyond shot-making, in Hardy’s view. Hardy spoke two days after Clayton had 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in Dallas’ 112-111 loss at the San Antonio Spurs.
“I love Walt. I’m a big fan of his. Was really excited when we drafted him. He was somebody that we moved up to get, and his toughness, who he is as a person, I think is what gives me belief in Walt,” Hardy said.
“He was fun to coach. I love his … Walt has the appropriate amount of stubbornness, and I say that with love,” Hardy continued. “Like, you have to have some of that to be a good player.”
“And what I’ve seen on film since coming to Dallas, he’s playing great,” Hardy added. “It’s not just shot making. It’s winning plays. He had a game two or three games ago where he had five assists, and I’m not sure he scored a basket, and he really contributed to winning. He’s been a great addition for their group. He’s somebody that I’ve got a ton of love for, and [I’ll] not root for him tonight. I’ll root for him next game.”
Will Hardy Coached Walter Clayton Jr. For 45 Games In Utah
The Washington Wizards took Clayton 18th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft and traded his rights to Utah. He won a national championship at Florida a few months earlier.
Clayton played 45 games for the Jazz, all off the bench, and averaged 6.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 18.0 minutes. On Feb. 3, Utah sent him to Memphis in the eight-player trade that brought Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Jazz.
With Memphis, Clayton made six starts in 24 games and averaged 9.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in 25.0 minutes. Over 69 games as a rookie, he averaged 7.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists.
Clayton Scores 12 Points In Dallas Mavericks’ Win Over Utah Jazz
On Friday, Clayton shot 4-of-8 from the field, 1-of-5 from 3-point range, and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line. He added 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals with 4 turnovers, and Dallas outscored Utah by 4 points with him on the floor.
Through his first 7 games with Dallas, Clayton averaged 7.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 14.4 minutes. He has now made 11 of his 24 3-point attempts this season.
The Grizzlies waived Clayton on Oct. 19, the league’s deadline to set regular-season rosters, and Dallas used its final two-way spot to sign him Oct. 21, the day of the season opener at Houston. Mavericks coach Dusty May recruited Clayton in college.
Two-way players can be active for up to 50 regular-season games and are ineligible for the postseason unless they are promoted to a standard contract. Dallas’ two-way players also suit up for the Texas Legends, the Mavericks’ G League affiliate.
The Mavericks (5-4) host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday at American Airlines Center, with tip-off set for 6:30 p.m. CT. Dallas and Utah meet again Nov. 22 in Salt Lake City.
