Why Are the Mavericks Poised to Make a Surprising Move on P.J. Washington’s Future?

League sources tell The Stein Line that an extension for Washington is likely. While he is no longer an automatic starter in Dallas after the Mavericks stunningly won the draft lottery in May and the right to select Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick, Washington only just turned 27 himself on Saturday and has no shortage of admirers in front offices around the league.

Stein hints at a possible Washington trade, using the team’s quality frontcourt depth to provide more rotation players at the wing and in the backcourt. If the Mavericks get Washington to agree to a fair extension price, plenty of teams would be interested in a possible trade.
Washington was traded to Dallas at the 2024 deadline and played well off Luka Doncic, helping the Mavericks on their 2024 Finals run. Washington averaged 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds a game last season when healthy (he played in just 57 games in Dallas). At 6’7″, he’s played the four and an undersized five, he’s become a steadier 3-point shooter (38.1% last season), but his defense means he might be best suited on a contending team off the bench. We will see how he fills that role in Dallas this season. Dallas is stacked in the frontcourt. All-Star Anthony Davis is the anchor and will start at the four, although he will play clutch time minutes at center. Derrick Lilvely II likely starts at center with Daniel Gafford behind him. Then there is No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, who ultimately is going to be a power forward in the NBA, possibly eventually playing more of a point forward (with Lively and Davis starting, Flagg likely starts this season at the three).Then there is P.J. Washington. Wherever he fits in off the bench, expect the Mavericks to extend the contract of the restricted free agent, something that could happen as soon as Friday when he first becomes extension-eligible, reports Marc Stein at The Stein Line.When you stack a frontcourt like Dallas has this season, the buzz isn’t just noise — it’s a full-on storm brewing. With All-Star Anthony Davis locking down the four spot and stepping into center duties during crunch moments, and Derrick Lively II ready to hold down the middle, this lineup screams versatility and power. Toss in the No. 1 draft pick Cooper Flagg, a future point-forward in the making, likely sliding into the three spot, and you’ve got a frontcourt cocktail that demands attention. Now, sprinkle in P.J. Washington — a restricted free agent rumored to get an extension any day now — and the mix gets even more intriguing. He’s no longer a guaranteed starter after the draft lottery win and Flagg’s entry, but his late-season surge alongside Luka Doncic during Dallas’ 2024 Finals run proves he’s a key ingredient nonetheless. The Mavs are weighing a deal that could run up to million over four years, but they’re eyeing something more modest — three years, million maybe — balancing talent and dollars with surgical precision. Washington’s role this year? It’s a puzzle still, but with his improved shooting and defensive chops, he could shine in a critical bench position. And let’s not overlook the whispers of a potential trade that could shake things up even more, capitalizing on the depth Dallas possesses up front. If they nail a fair extension, the market for Washington could heat up fast. Oh, it’s shaping up to be a fascinating season in Dallas — and the moves they make now might just set the tone for years to come. LEARN MOREThat extension can be for up to four years, million, although the Mavericks will want to get him in for under that number, maybe something closer to three years, million.