Less than a week away from the start of the 2024-25 season, the Dallas Mavericks appear to be putting the finishing touches on their roster.
Mavs Final Roster Taking Shape Amid Jazian Gortman’s Two-Way Addition
On Friday, the Mavs waived A.J. Lawson, Emanuel Miller, and Jamarion Sharp. In the process, they freed up a two-way roster slot, as Lawson signed a hybrid contract with Dallas on Oct. 10. That spot will soon be filled by Jazian Gortman, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
G Jazian Gortman is getting the Mavs’ open two-way deal, source told ESPN.
Gortman, a pesky defender who averaged 10.3 ppg on 51.6% shooting in the preseason, had interest from other teams. https://t.co/N59KVTU6dH
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 18, 2024
Gortman went undrafted in 2023, originally signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. However, waived before the season began, he played for the G League’s Wisconsin Herd and Rip City Remix in 2023-24. In 27 games, he averaged 9.4 points, 3.6 assists, and 0.7 steals on .407-.306-.636 shooting splits.
That being said, when he signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Mavs in early July, there weren’t high expectations.
Nonetheless, Gortman’s turned heads as a hard-nosed defender. While listed at 6-foot-2 and 184 pounds, he’s physically imposing because he isn’t afraid to get in a ball-handlers face. The type of player who will pick up his man fullcourt, Gortman’s reminiscent of three-time All-Defensive selection Patrick Beverley.
What’s swung fortune in his favor though may be that he’s become a viable threat on offense.
Capable of playing on and off the ball, he averaged 10.6 points and 4.0 assists per game on .463-.500-.833 shooting splits in this year’s Summer League. He’s followed that up by averaging 10.3 points per game on 51.6 percent shooting from the field and 57.1 percent shooting from three this preseason.
Because Gortman bypassed college, choosing to play for Overtime Elite, he’s had a relatively unique path. Yet, he was a five-star high school recruit, receiving several D1 offers. All that is to say that Gortman seems like he’s coming out of nowhere and has a steep learning curve, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t prepared for this moment.
The Last Word on Jazian Gortman
Gortman is now part of a two-way triumvirate that includes point guard Brandon Williams and small forward Kessler Edwards. Fortifying the guard depth in a group that includes veterans Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Spencer Dinwiddie, he has an important role next season and it’s not just challenging them in practice. As Dallas runs their offense through their backcourt, his development at that end will be key for when his number is called.
However, Gortman is now arguably the Mavs’ most puissant point-of-attack defender. On a team that struggles to prevent perimeter penetration, he could become a weapon at that end.
