PJ Washington, man, it feels like forever ago that the Dallas Mavericks brought him over from Charlotte, all with this grand plan way back in 2024 to build a championship squad around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. And get this, he absolutely blew past expectations, straight up starting for the Mavs in their NBA Finals push. He was dropping 13.0 points and pulling down 6.6 boards a game, and even better, he was locking down the opposing team’s best forward. Remember that second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder? Dude shot a ridiculous 23-of-49 (that’s 47%!) from the field. That’s clutch.
Mavericks Implode, Washington Stays Put
But hold up, things have gone wild in Dallas since Washington first showed up. I’m talking drastically changed. Luka Doncic, their superstar, was shipped off to the Lakers in the dead of night back in February 2025. You know, Luka’s ability to create open looks for his teammates? That’s what Washington thrived on, hitting shots at a way more efficient clip back then than he has since Doncic bailed. And then, the architects behind Washington’s rise? Gone too. Nico Harrison got fired early last season, then Jason Kidd bounced after the whole 2025-26 season just totally imploded. Now, under a whole new coaching staff and management, the Mavs are trying to piece together a competitive team around their rising star and Rookie of the Year, Cooper Flagg. Amid all that chaos, all that turnover, Washington has been one of the very few constants. Last season, he still put up 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and roughly two stocks (that’s steals plus blocks, for real) in 56 games.
Masai Ujiri’s Dream Player or Dusty May’s Dilemma?
So, what’s the deal for Washington this season? The Mavericks have to figure out his role as they try to build for the future. In his two and a half years with the Mavs, he’s only come off the bench in five of his 147 regular season games. The guy plays physical, no doubt, and his ability to defend and even bring the ball up the court totally aligns with what Masai Ujiri, that legendary executive, loves in a player: a defensive forward who might not be a lights-out shooter but can do a ton of different things. Washington’s strength and toughness even let Dallas try him out as a small-ball center in some lineups. He checks a lot of boxes for the new head coach, Dusty May. But even May admits he’s still evaluating who’s gonna be out there with Flagg and Irving in the starting five. The good news? May said Washington is “in the mix” to hear his name called for that first-five spot, and he’s even praised him after some recent training camp practices.
This season, the Mavs are stacked up front, at least on paper. That’s a huge piece of the puzzle to solve for Coach May. Is Washington going to be that anchor, that constant presence in the starting lineup that he has been? Or does his multi-faceted game make him the ultimate wild card off the bench for this new era of Mavericks basketball? We’re gonna find out real soon as this new season kicks off!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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