Mavs Should Turn to Two-Way Guard in Times of Need

Not unlike last season, the Dallas Mavericks will soon find themselves needing to put more and more responsibility on a young two-way guard.

Last year it was Ryan Nembhard. This year it will be Walter Clayton Jr.

The former Florida standout was one of Dallas' most productive pieces in an otherwise forgetful night that saw the Mavs lose by 15 at home to the previously winless Sacramento Kings.

Clayton's emergence will be most significant in times like Monday night's, when the Mavericks are sitting star point guard Kyrie Irving as he manages his return from knee surgery.

In 24 minutes off the bench, Clayton scored a team-high 20 points. He did so efficiently, connecting on 6-of-9 shots, including four out of five attempts from 3-point range.

Clayton, who was drafted No. 18 overall by the Washington Wizards in 2025 and is in his first season with the Mavs after debuting with the Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz, said it was a collective effort that saw Dallas drop to 4-3, ending a three-game win streak.

"To be honest, I think they were more hungry than us tonight," Clayton said. "I think we kind of played to their record. We didn’t play up to our abilities. We lost the rebounding battle. That was a big one. They beat us to a lot of 50-50 [balls]. We just got to come out with more energy."

The energy lacked most in offensive creation. Dallas started do-everything forward Cooper Flagg at point guard - which can be pointed to for the Mavs' ineffectiveness last season with Irving injured - and the added responsibility took a tole on his scoring.

Flagg was just 3-of-19 from the floor and went his second game in a row without a 3-pointer.

"I want to credit Sacramento," Mavs coach Dusty May said. "They were the more determined team tonight and the more prepared team, and they came in here and earned it. We didn’t put much pressure on the paint and on the rim, and we were on our heels.

"Win or lose, we’re going to look back at our process and just see did we prepare the right way, did we have the right game plan, what would we do different the next time."

That process should at least include considering Clayton for the starting lineup. In his place, Max Christie went 0-for-5 from beyond the arc before he was benched for Clayton to start the second half.

A year ago, Clayton appeared in 24 games (six starts) with Memphis before being in the trade that sent All-Star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah. He played 45 games for the Jazz, averaging 6.8 points and 3.2 assists in 18 minutes per game as a rookie.

Like was the case with Nembhard, Dallas will need to be careful about how many games Clayton plays early in the season. Two-way players are only allowed to be active for a maximum of 50 regular-season contests.

"I think last year was an up-and-down year," Clayton said after joining the Mavs late in the process. "I only take it as a learning year. I think we go through everything for a reason. I'm thankful for last year and I'm glad to be here in Dallas."

Clayton is currently averaging 6.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 53 percent shooting in 11.2 minutes per game.

His breakout against Sacramento should be a sign of more to come.

"It makes the decision-making much more difficult because you have so many guys who are similar skillsets and stages of their careers," May said about the challenges that come with a game like Monday's. "And they’re all capable. Each night presents different challenges. And each and every game someone different kind of has it going. Obviously, with some players out, it’s even more of a luxury.

"With Kai out, it gives a couple of the young guys a much greater opportunity. And we’re very confident in those guys. The experience is important for them. Games like this are where depth really comes into play."