Dallas Mavericks sign former Florida star Walter Clayton Jr. to a two‑way contract, activating him for the season opener against the Houston Rockets. Coach Dusty May, who coached Clayton at FAU and whose son roomed with him at Florida, says he knows the 2025 national champion well. Clayton, the 2025 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, was waived by Memphis and cleared by Dallas after John Poulakidas was released. He will wear No. 1, can appear in up to 50 regular‑season games, and may be assigned to the G League Texas Legends. In his rookie year with Utah and Memphis, he averaged 7.8 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists.
Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May, making his NBA debut on Oct. 21, outlines a game plan to pressure Kevin Durant in the Mavericks' season opener at the Toyota Center. May wants Durant to take tougher shots, work harder on defense, and avoid easy baskets, while stressing the importance of executing against Houston’s frequent switching defenses. The article notes Durant’s career‑scoring rank, his 26.0‑point average last season, and recent exhibition results in Macao where both teams fielded different lineups. The Mavericks and Rockets will meet three more times this season (Oct. 30, Jan. 1, Jan. 31).
The Houston Rockets open the 2026‑27 NBA season at home against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, at 8:30 PM ET. The game airs locally on WFAA/KFAA/Space City Home Network and streams live on Fubo (free trial available). Rockets return point guard Fred VanVleet and add veterans Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanović, while guarding Kevin Durant and young star Alperen Şengün. Dallas counts on a healthy Kyrie Irving, Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg (25.2 pts, 7.2 reb, 5.3 ast), plus new pieces Santi Aldama, Max Christie, and recent draft picks. Both teams aim to improve after last season’s disappointments, making this a must‑watch matchup.
The Houston Rockets open the 2026‑27 NBA season against the Dallas Mavericks on October 21 at 7:30 PM CST in the Toyota Center. The game, broadcast on Space City Home Network and streamed via the SB Nation app, features Rockets starters Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün, while the Mavericks line up Kyrie Irving, Zaccharie Risacher, Cooper Flag, P.J. Washington Jr. and Daniel Gafford. Fans can also follow the action on KBME Sports Talk 790 and KLTN 102.9 (español).
The Dallas Mavericks open the 2026-27 season at Houston's Toyota Center on Oct. 21, 7:30 pm CST, facing the Rockets in Game 1 of a quick two‑game series following preseason match‑ups in Macau. Key injuries: Mavericks forward Dereck Lively and center Santi Aldama are listed, with Aldama near return; rookie Tarik Biberović out (heel bursitis) and Caleb Martin sidelined (thumb sprain). Rockets’ Steven Adams is questionable with calf tightness. New two‑way guard Walter Clayton Jr. is active for Dallas. The preview highlights Dallas trying to climb out of the West’s bottom five, while Houston hopes to rebound from a disappointing post‑season.
Dallas Mavericks coach Dusty May stresses physicality and quickness to the ball ahead of the season‑opening clash with the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Oct. 21. May, hired June 23 after winning the 2026 NCAA title with Michigan, points to the Rockets' toughness—highlighted in two recent exhibition games in Macao (Houston 135‑117 on Oct. 9, Dallas 132‑115 on Oct. 11) where Kyrie Irving returned with 17 points. He outlines defensive plans against Kevin Durant (26.0 ppg last season) and emphasizes limiting fouls on jump shooters while navigating Houston’s switching defense. The coach also praises Houston’s roster, noting Marcus Smart’s defense and the versatile big Alperen Şengün.
The Dallas Mavericks have signed guard Walter Clayton Jr. to a two-way contract, adding the 2025 first-round pick ahead of their 2026-27 NBA season opener against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the agreement. Clayton was selected 18th overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2025 NBA Draft before his draft […]
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The Dallas Mavericks had plenty of promising young players before signing Walter Clayton Jr., but his addition to this group gives the team the shooting and passing it needed.
The Dallas Mavericks sign 2025 first‑round pick Walter Clayton Jr. to a two‑way contract, making him eligible for up to 50 games this season. Clayton, a former Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies rookie who posted 7.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 69 games, was waived by Memphis after the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade. He ended his rookie year strong, hitting double figures in 11 of his last 18 games and shooting 47% from the floor in April. A former 2025 NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player who averaged 18.3 points for Florida, Clayton will be active for the Mavericks’ season opener in Houston.
Walter Clayton officially signs a two‑way contract with the Dallas Mavericks, announced in a press release at 5:03 pm on October 21, 2026. The 23‑year‑old former Florida star and 2025 first‑round pick (18th overall) was waived by Memphis after a $4.19 M guaranteed salary and bounced through trade rumors linking him to Sacramento, Miami and Golden State. Dallas cleared a two‑way slot by cutting John Poulakidas, joining Jett Howard and Tobi Lawal. Clayton posted 7.8 points, 4.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 69 games last season, shooting .384/.307/.901, and could compete for backup minutes behind Kyrie Irving.
Austin Reaves says Luka Doncic will have no trouble earning the favor of Lakers fans.
Walter Clayton Jr. lands a two-way deal with the Dallas Mavericks after clearing waivers on Oct. 21, 2026. The 2025 first‑rounder, who split his rookie season between the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies, averaged 7.8 points, 4 assists and posted a career‑high 20 points on Apr. 5. Dallas opened the roster spot by cutting John Poulakidas and Dwight Powell, leaving three two‑way contracts (Clayton, Jett Howard, Tobi Lawal) alongside 15 standard contracts for the season opener against the Houston Rockets. The $678,882 two‑way salary makes Clayton eligible for up to 50 regular‑season games and G‑League action with the Texas Legends.
The Mavericks have agreed to a two-way contract with Walter Clayton Jr., according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, giving the former first-round pick a new opportunity after his release by the Grizzlies. Dallas had emerged as a leading contender for Clayton on Tuesday, with Marc Stein reporting that coach Dusty May recruited the guard in college. […]
The post Mavericks, Walter Clayton Jr. agree to two-way deal appeared first on Hoops Wire .
The Dallas Mavericks' backcourt needs some help due to their lack of shot creation and 3-point shooting, and signing Walter Clayton Jr. is an excellent start.
Luka Doncic, surprised by a trade to Los Angeles, says he’d like to finish his career with the Lakers and is already eyeing both a championship and an MVP. The team’s new center, Walker Kessler, lands a four‑year, $130 million contract after a shoulder injury‑limited rookie season, and his health and performance are deemed crucial to LA’s success. Bronny James battles a quad contusion that limited his preseason minutes, while recent arrivals—Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton (out with a calf strain) and others—have minimal playoff experience, raising questions about the Lakers’ championship odds. Coach J.J. Redick hints at a rotating starting lineup with Reaves and Kessler joining Doncic, while Jake LaRavia expects a bench role for the opener.
Walter Clayton Jr. will give the Dallas Mavericks more guard depth if they sign him, but they can't expect him to give them enough production to fix their problems in the backcourt on his own.
Luka Dončić says he hopes to retire with the Los Angeles Lakers after his 2025 trade from Dallas. The 27‑year‑old, who signed a three‑year, $165 million extension on Aug. 2, 2025, reflected on the shock of the Feb. 2, 2025 trade and his desire to finish his career in LA. He entered the 2025‑26 season as the NBA scoring champion (33.5 p.p.g.) and earned All‑NBA first‑team honors, finishing fourth in MVP voting. Dončić highlighted a 60‑point, 134‑126 win over Miami on March 19 and the Lakers’ 15‑2 March run as they open the 2026‑27 season against Golden State on Oct. 21.
The Dallas Mavericks listed rookie wing Jett Howard as questionable for their Oct. 22 season opener against the Houston Rockets due to right calf tightness. Howard, who missed the final two preseason games with illness, had modest contributions in Dallas' two preseason contests versus Houston. The Mavericks also have four confirmed absentees: Santi Aldama (right knee surgery), Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), Tarik Biberović (heel bursitis) and Caleb Martin (thumb sprain). Houston faces its own questions with Steven Adams (calf) and Julian Phillips (illness). Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.
The Dallas Mavericks need to move on from Caleb Martin, as his injury history, on-court fit, and fit within Dallas' new timeline are concerns entering the 2026-27 season.
Marcus Sasser is set to make his regular‑season debut with the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday at Houston’s Toyota Center, the site of his four‑year college career with the Cougars. After missing the first three preseason games with a left adductor injury, Sasser says the arena feels like a "second home" and boosts his confidence. He previously logged 5 points in a 135‑111 loss to Atlanta and feels his body is at its best since the summer. Coach Dusty May praises Sasser’s cutting, shooting and defensive instincts, while Sasser looks to bring fast‑tempo energy against the Rockets in the season opener.
Kyrie Irving makes his long-awaited return to NBA action for the Dallas Mavericks against a Houston Rockets time that will look to win their first opening-day game since 2017. The Mavs are looking to bounce back into playoff contention after a difficult 2025-26 campaign that saw them finish 12th in the Western Conference. The Rockets […]
The post Is Mavericks’ Dereck Lively II ready for season opener vs. Rockets after missing most of last season with injury? appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Kyrie Irving returns to regular-season action alongside Cooper Flagg as Dallas faces Kevin Durant's Houston Rockets.
The Los Angeles Lakers are entering their first season without LeBron James in eight years. Luka Doncic is the new face of the franchise, but does he have what it takes to carry on the torch? Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban still has some faith. Cuban crashed a live broadcast on the X-Rayted Sports […]
The post Mark Cuban Gets Honest About Luka Doncic Facing the Lakers’ Pressure Without LeBron James appeared first on EssentiallySports .
The Dallas Mavericks finished 12th in the Western Conference last season after major injuries to Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving saw them finish the regular season with a 26-56 record. Now, with Irving set to return for the start of the new campaign, critics have not been too kind to Dallas as far as season […]
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Dereck Lively II should undoubtedly be a part of the Dallas Mavericks' young core, but extending him at this time would've been too risky.