- Oct 16, 2026
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The Dallas Mavericks are regarded as the leading suitor for guard Walter Clayton should he pass through waivers unclaimed, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Memphis placed the 23-year-old rookie on waivers Monday as the Grizzlies reduced their roster from 17 to 15 players. Clayton must go unclaimed by Wednesday to become an unrestricted free agent. Any team that claims him would assume his $4.19 million guaranteed salary for 2026/27.
Sacramento, Miami and Golden State have also been linked to Clayton, though the Kings are said to believe he will likely land in Dallas. The Mavericks waived center Dwight Powell on Monday and now carry a full 15-man standard roster, but they hold an open two-way contract slot that could accommodate Clayton.
Dallas currently has Jett Howard and Tobi Lawal on two-way deals after releasing John Poulakidas on Saturday. Seth Lundy had been in consideration for the remaining two-way position, but Clayton has emerged as the preferred option.
Clayton, a former Florida standout who led the Gators to the 2024/25 national championship, was selected 18th overall in the 2025 draft after Utah traded up from 21st with Washington. He was later moved to Memphis in an eight-player deal that sent Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Jazz. Clayton averaged 7.8 points, 4.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 20.4 minutes across 69 games with Utah and Memphis, shooting .384 from the field and .307 from three-point range.
Source: Hoops Rumors - Tue Oct 20, 3:14 PM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).