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When I think of the Mavericks’ impactful players in their 2024 Finals run, one of the first names that comes to mind is Derrick Jones Jr. He wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, do the little things, make a big defensive impact, and be an athletic sparkplug. Mavericks rookie forward Tobi Lawal brings those same exact qualities, but he’s two inches taller at 6’8, and six years younger.
The Dallas Mavericks have plenty of new faces heading into the 2026-27 season, but few are more intriguing as developmental projects than Lawal. He was selected 48th overall in the draft this summer and enters this year on a two-way contract after two seasons at Virginia Tech.
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Lawal’s college numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page. The senior averaged 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, while shooting 54.2% from the field. He also recorded six double-doubles in just 23 games. What DOES jump off the page is his athleticism. Lawal’s 45.5-inch maximum vertical at the NBA Combine was one of the best marks in combine history. He is a legitimate above-the-rim athlete who can run the floor, attack the offensive glass, and finish plays that most players simply can’t. Hello again, Derrick Jones Jr.
For a Mavericks team emphasizing youth and development under new head coach Dusty May, Lawal is exactly the type of player worth keeping an eye on.
The big question
The big question for Lawal is whether he can turn his physical gifts into a consistent NBA skill set. This isn’t as easy as it sounds for athletic and bouncy NBA prospects. Jones Jr. has been on six teams entering his 11th season. Lawal will need to add some finesse to his art while developing other offensive skill sets. Today’s NBA is all about scoring.
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There is no question about the athletic ability. The questions are about everything that comes with it. Lawal is still developing as a shooter and ball handler, and he has primarily been a play finisher rather than someone who creates offense for himself or others. He shot just 25% from three as a senior at Virginia Tech. His offensive game will need to expand if he’s going to become more…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/could-tobi-lawal-derrick-jones-100400227.html
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Publish date : 2026-10-13 10:04:00
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