Just over a year ago, PJ Washington was a key piece in the Dallas Mavericks’ thrilling run to the NBA Finals, bringing hustle, versatility, and clutch plays to a team led by Luka Dončić. His ability to stretch the floor, defend multiple positions, and chip in timely buckets helped Dallas come within striking distance of a championship in 2024. They of course came up short as Boston claimed the title, but getting there was a big time accomplishment.
Fast forward to 2025, and Washington’s future with the Mavericks is getting super cloudy. Tonight the Mavs revealed the worst kept secret in the NBA Draft as they selected Duke phenom Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick. With Washington entering the final year of his $14,152,174 contract, per Spotrac, his affordable deal makes him an enticing trade chip for contenders and rebuilding teams alike.
Dallas’ frontcourt is now a logjam of talent: Anthony Davis, Kessler Edwards, Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin, Dwight Powell, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, and now Flagg. Washington’s skill set—floor-spacing, rebounding, and switchable defense—overlaps with several players, particularly Flagg, who’s poised to eat up minutes as a versatile forward.
The Mavericks face a tough call: keep Washington and risk losing him for nothing in free agency, or trade him to clear space for Flagg’s development and address other roster needs. Most fans want to keep Washington, because they believe he can continue developing under Jason Kidd. However, he will be eligible for a big contract extension and going into the luxury tax may not be ideal for a developing Mavs team. Other fans think Naji Marshall’s cheaper contract and playmaking edge could make Washington expendable and feel he is better anyway.
The Mavericks’ front office must weigh whether Washington’s proven playoff contributions outweigh the need to give Flagg room to grow. A trade could net a guard or wing to balance the roster, but losing Washington isn't ideal for a team who doesn't want to blow it all up. The next few months could be very interesting in Dallas. But it looks like PJ Washington's run in Dallas could be in jeopardy.