Walter Clayton Jr. has not lingered long as a free agent. Just days after being waived by the Memphis Grizzlies, the former 18th pick in 2025 has found a home in Dallas, where, according to ESPN reporter Shams Charania, he has signed a two-way contract that will give him the opportunity to continue fighting for a place in the league.
Guard Walter Clayton Jr. has agreed on a two-way NBA deal with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/B43kDQxQjL
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 21, 2026
Clayton found himself without a team when Memphis had to release players to trim the roster to 15 before the start of the regular season, and the Tennessee franchise made the surprising decision to part ways with him after just one season in the league. Despite averaging 9.7 points and 5.7 assists in his initial showing, the organization opted to rely on other players when assembling the roster, bidding farewell to a prospect who had seemed to be a key piece of the package delivered in exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr.
Thus, the Mavericks have opened a window of opportunity to test a player who last year was being selected in the first round of the Draft. The Texas club, still shaping the roster for the future, already has Zaccharie Risacher, a young rebounder from the franchise that drafted him, whose development they are counting on, and with this contract they secure another potential bargain if things go well. Although, for now, we will see how many opportunities Dusty May is willing to grant him.
