AJ Lawson could have a spot open on the Dallas Mavericks rotation as a defensive spark plug

The Dallas Mavericks shuffled their contracts recently by waiving A.J. Lawson from a standard contract before re-signing him to a two-way deal.

Lawson, set to play his fourth professional season, has built a lot of interest around the league but understands it comes down to timing and opportunity. He continues to embrace his role within the Mavericks organization and remains diligent in his development since opportunity can arise at a moment’s notice in the NBA.

When reflecting on his development, Lawson credited former teammate Derrick Jones Jr. for helping him improve defensively. Lawson, aiming to become a “defensive monster,” took inspiration from Jones’ ability to navigate screens and guard top matchups with similar thin frames. Studying Jones last season gave him a clear blueprint for how to elevate his defensive impact this year.

Offensively, Lawson has been learning from newcomer Klay Thompson to refine his shooting and decision-making. He views the opportunity to learn from a player of Thompson’s caliber as critical to his continued growth. Whether through energetic defense or savvy off-ball offensive impact, Lawson remains determined to make the most of his opportunity this season.

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A.J Lawson Interview (Exclusive)

Q: You recently re-signed a two-way contract with the Mavericks. What have you enjoyed most about your time with the organization?

A.J. Lawson:

“Honestly, how competitive the whole organization is. We always want to get better. It’s very family-oriented, and I just love it here. I love being here. Great coaches, great staff, great organization, great fans—everything’s been great. So it’s been a no-brainer for sure.”

Q: Yesterday, you were able to get into a drill group with Klay Thompson. How valuable has it been to learn from someone like him so far?

A.J. Lawson:

“Honestly, it’s very valuable. Yesterday, I asked him a question about what he focuses on, and he gave me a very honest answer. It made me feel included because of how he spoke to me. He’s a great leader, giving me pointers, and I just wanted to soak up all the information because I feel like he’s one of the greatest shooters ever. To learn from him is honestly a blessing.”

Q: Throughout last season, you watched some high-stakes games given the team reached the NBA Finals. What did you see from the team during that run, and what did you feel you could improve on to impact the team?

A.J. Lawson:

“Just being a premier defender. I feel like if I really focus on that, the opportunities on the court will show themselves. So, I want to focus on that a lot this year—guard my yard, make sure no one gets by me, and be a good team defender. I want to communicate on defense and talk with my teammates.”

Q: Derrick Jones Jr. has a similar frame to yours and is known for his defensive impact. Was he someone you studied last season?

A.J. Lawson:

“For sure. Last year, I asked D. Jones a lot of questions about what he does defensively. I felt like he was a defensive monster. He gave me pointers on how to get over screens and what he does because we have similar body frames. Watching him throughout the playoffs, guarding the best players, and seeing the little things he does, was great for me. Now I’m going to try to do that with myself this year.”

Q: What are your impressions of how training camp has gone for you personally, and is there anything that stood out about the team’s performance so far?

A.J. Lawson:

“Training camp was great. We had a good time competing against each other, learning each other’s games, and building our chemistry. The new additions, like Naji [Marshall], have been great for us—he brings good defense. Going forward, we’ve got to keep working on our fundamentals defensively, pressing guys from the first quarter, guarding 94 feet, and focusing on what Coach Kidd wants us to do.”

Q: You’ve had the opportunity to learn from Klay Thompson, and you also get to guard great players like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in practice. How have those opportunities helped you grow as a player?

A.J. Lawson:

“Every day you learn something new with these guys. They’re great at what they do—Kyrie is one of the best ball handlers, Luka is one of the best players, and Klay is one of the best shooters. Having these guys on the same team is a lot to learn from. I can take shooting techniques from Klay, ball-handling and decision-making from Kai, and learn how to run the floor with Luka. There’s so much opportunity as a wing player like me, and I’m excited for this season.”

Q: You’ve worked on attacking closeouts and off-ball screening actions. How has your game grown in those areas?

A.J. Lawson:

“It’s all about decision-making. There are so many different schemes and opportunities that come out of plays because we have guys that can do multiple things. If Klay comes off a screen, I might fake a screen and slip because the defense will follow him. Learning how to play off of other guys will be key this year. They’ll cause so much commotion, and I’ll have to take advantage of the opportunities it creates.”

Q: In the preseason game, we saw more off-ball movement, especially with Klay. How does that play to your strengths?

A.J. Lawson:

“I feel like it’s going to bring a lot. I’m one of the best cutters because of my speed, and it’s about reading the game. My cutting will create opportunities for others to get open threes or for me to get open looks. All that off-ball movement will be crucial for guys who can shoot and cut. It’s going to be tough for defenses to guard for sure.”

Q: Is there a particular focus area in your development as you go through the rest of the preseason and enter the season?

A.J. Lawson:

“I’m working on my consistency with my jump shot and making sure I’m a defensive presence—being a defensive monster every time I’m out there and making it undeniable.”

Q: Is there anyone on the coaching staff that you work with on your shooting mechanics or preparing for matchups?

A.J. Lawson:

“Yeah, there are a couple of coaches. Riley Crean works with me a lot, but honestly, all the coaches help out. That’s how the Mavericks are—whoever’s in the gym helps with rebounding, passing, or going through drills. It could be anyone, from [Jared] Dudley to anyone.”

Q: You spent time with the Legends, handling the ball and making plays. How has that helped you throughout your career?

A.J. Lawson:

“The G League has been great. It’s a chance to work on the principles the NBA team wants you to focus on, work on your role, and build confidence. You get more opportunities on the court, and you can work through your mistakes. Watching film while in the G League also helps because you can see yourself within the flow of the offense and defense.”