Walter Clayton Jr. is joining the Dallas Mavericks on a two-way contract after being waived by the Memphis Grizzlies earlier this week, according to Mike Curtis.
Clayton was already on the floor with Dallas on Wednesday, October 21, following the agreement. Mavericks head coach Dusty May also discussed his longstanding connection with the guard, who was selected 18th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.
“He unofficially visited us at FAU, so I’ve known him for a long time, and then he was my son’s roommate at Florida, so very familiar with Walt,” May said, according to Curtis.
May coached at Florida Atlantic before taking over at Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to the 2026 NCAA championship. Clayton played his final college season at Florida in 2024-25, averaging 18.3 points, 4.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 38 games. He shot 38.1% from three-point range.
The 22-year-old guard began his professional career with the Utah Jazz before joining Memphis during the 2025-26 season. He appeared in 24 games for the Grizzlies, averaging 9.7 points, 5.7 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. He shot 36.6% from the field and 30.7% from beyond the arc.
Memphis waived Clayton and forward Micah Peavy on Monday, October 19, as the franchise continued reshaping its roster ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
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Dallas represents a new opportunity for Clayton as the Mavericks continue building around reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. The franchise finished 26-56 last season and underwent significant changes in its front office and coaching staff during the offseason.
May was hired as head coach in June after his national championship run at Michigan. Masai Ujiri also joined Dallas as president of basketball operations, with Mike Schmitz appointed general manager.
The Mavericks selected Morez Johnson Jr. ninth overall in the 2026 NBA Draft and added several young players through trades and free agency. Clayton now joins a roster that includes fellow two-way guard Jett Howard and rookie Tobi Lawal, who also signed a two-way contract.
