Dallas Mavericks bravely waive young wing for the second time in 10 days

October 21st is the last official day for NBA teams to finalize their rosters before the start of the season.

Often times, teams will have their initial rosters finalized well before the October 21 deadline, but that may not be the case for many teams when it comes to two-way and veteran minimum roster deals.

In the case of the Dallas Mavericks, the team had its 18-man roster ready for the final preseason game of the year, but the emergence of one of their young guards made things murky for every player on a two-way roster spot.

It was announced this morning that forward AJ Lawson was waived, along with two other non-guaranteed players, Emanuel Miller and Jamarion Sharp.

Although it may seem harsh, at the end of the day the NBA is a business and some players face difficult situations. Fan-favorite forward Lawson, who signed a two-way contract with the Mavericks just last week after being released two days earlier, has been released again. However, this time it could be permanent.

Lawson spent the last two seasons with the Mavericks, becoming one of the league’s few success stories to make the final roster after spending one season on a two-way contract with the team. In addition to impressing at times, Lawson became a fan favorite during his tenure in Dallas as he always brought energy during his time on the floor.

Lawson’s defensive prowess and athleticism made him a candidate the Mavericks couldn’t give up on for nothing. After signing with the Mavs last season and joining the 15-man roster, many fans expected Lawson to make the jump to the fringe lineup. Not only was Lawson inefficient on the floor, but his minutes seemed to have halved over the course of the season.

While it’s cruel for a player like Lawson to be without him multiple times this summer, the Mavericks are making the right move. Since the Mavs began training camp in early October, guard Jazian Gortman has looked like a potential decision-maker, and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that he will be given the final two-way spot.

The Mavericks initially signed Gortman to a non-guaranteed contract, meaning the young guard could spend training camp with the team and showcase his skills against NBA-level talent.

Not only did Gortman shine in all four preseason games in which he appeared, but after just one appearance, fans were already clamoring for the team to sign the former OTE star.

As of Friday afternoon, it is unclear what Lawson’s future will hold.