Mavericks Sign Jazian Gortman to Two-Way Contract: 'The Work Doesn’t Stop Here'
Jazian Gortman has signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks after a standout preseason. He aims to continue his growth this season.
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks have officially signed Jazian Gortman—the 6-foot-2 point guard—to a two-way contract, securing the 21-year-old’s spot within the organization after a standout preseason.
Gortman impressed the coaching staff with his defensive tenacity and complementary offensive skill set, averaging 10.3 points and 2.0 assists while shooting 51.6% from the floor and a stellar 57.1% from beyond the arc. He finished behind only Jaden Hardy and Kyrie Irving in points per game for the team in preseason play.
Reflecting on his performance, Gortman emphasized his goal of consistency and contributing on both ends of the floor.
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“I just want to show how pesky I am on both ends, taking care of the ball, making good reads, and whenever I’m open, just shooting it,” Gortman said after the Mavericks’ preseason loss against the LA Clippers. “That’s been my main goal, and I feel like it’s been going pretty well. I always want to get better by 1% every day.”
Gortman’s drive is evident throughout his basketball journey. He frequently watches film pre-game after focused workouts with a high degree of focus, and it’s common to see him getting extra reps after practices. It’s easy to see why he impressed the Mavericks beyond just his on-court production.
Gortman’s journey with the Mavericks began during the 2024 NBA Summer League, where his initial performance left room for improvement. When the subject arose midway through preseason, head coach Jason Kidd didn’t hold back when reflecting on Gortman’s early struggles, stating, “He was terrible in Summer League, and I’m just telling you the truth.”
However, Kidd praised the work Gortman put in to turn things around, highlighting his growth and effort in the months since. “He’s put in the time and worked extremely hard,” Kidd said. “It speaks to the work he’s put in, both in the summer league and during preseason. The way he’s played and the things he’s shown on the floor are what we were looking forward to seeing at a high level.”
Gortman himself acknowledged the progress he’s made since the Summer League. “I’d say my decision-making has improved a lot, especially with my reads on the ball,” he shared. “My three-point shot has also gotten better.”
During training camp, Gortman focused on refining his game, particularly his decision-making, defense, and shooting. He made it clear that maintaining consistency was a priority.
“First, you just gotta pay attention to the details and carry them out,” Gortman explained. “All the little things have to be second nature. Being consistent is one of the biggest things in the NBA. Can you do it one night? Can you do it again?”
Gortman’s two-way contract allows him to split his time between the Mavericks and their G League affiliate, the Texas Legends. The team’s decision to offer Gortman the deal came after they waived three players, including A.J. Lawson, who initially was placed on a two-way contract before being released to open a slot. Gortman joins Kessler Edwards and Brandon Williams as the team’s other two-way contract players.
“Yes, he impressed not just me but the organization as a whole,” Kidd added. “Everyone who watched camp felt he was impressive, and we knew he was someone we needed to take a closer look at.”
As Gortman prepares for the upcoming season, he remains motivated and focused on his long-term goals. “It feels good. It’s the most high. I’m grateful for the opportunity, understanding that the work doesn’t stop here and the journey doesn’t stop here. I’m still ready to put in that same type of work and even more,” Gortman said.
The Mavericks will continue to develop Gortman in case they end up needing him during the regular season. The team is already dealing with Danté Exum being sidelined for the foreseeable future after undergoing wrist surgery. It certainly doesn’t hurt to have backcourt depth in case additional injuries transpire.
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