Mavericks Waive A.J. Lawson, Open Two-Way Contract Competition Intensifies

The Dallas Mavericks waived guard A.J. Lawson, creating room for final roster adjustments, while Jazian Gortman stands out in the battle for a two-way contract after a strong preseason.

Photo via Rashad Miller

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks waived guard A.J. Lawson, creating flexibility for their final roster ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season. Lawson, who joined the Mavs in 2022-23 on a two-way deal, played in 56 games, averaging 3.4 points and 1.2 rebounds.

During Monday’s preseason-opening loss against the Memphis Grizzlies, Lawson finished with 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 20 minutes off the bench. He shot 3-of-7 from the floor, 1-of-4 (25.0%) from deep, and 1-of-2 (50.0%) on free throws, while adding a turnover.

The decision was expected as the Mavericks needed to trim their season-long contracts total to make room for Markieff Morris, who is currently signed to an Exhibit 9 deal instead of a standard contract. The looming expectation has remained that Morris will receive this type of deal soon, but an official move hasn’t been made.

Lawson Shows Improvement During Mavericks Tenure

Reflecting on his time with the team, Lawson emphasized his offseason growth, focusing on his shooting mechanics and physical conditioning. “I really focused on being in the weight room super hard and locking in on my core and leg strength. That way, throughout the season, I wouldn’t get fatigued because I worked on my body all summer," Lawson said. "I always work on my shot, but this offseason, I really locked in on my mechanics and follow-through to stay confident with every shot.”

While Lawson expressed optimism about his physical and mental preparation, the Mavs’ depth on the wing made his departure inevitable. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd praised the contributions Lawson provided and felt the young wing made “a big jump in his game” during his time with the organization.

“Yeah, A.J.’s been great for us. Unfortunately, they waived him today, and we wish him the best of luck,” Kidd said of Lawson. “But when you look at his athleticism and how he’s improved, being here, his development—he did everything we asked, and there was a big jump in his game. But, looking at the numbers, management had to make a decision.”

Battle for Two-Way Contracts Intensifies