While some had wondered about P.J. Washington’s future with the Dallas Mavericks following the arrival of 2025 No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, it sounds like he isn’t going anywhere.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Washington is “likely” to receive a contract extension from the Mavs. On Friday, he becomes eligible for a new four-year deal worth just under $90 million.
Washington’s status in Dallas came into question because he and Flagg both play the small forward position. However, Mavs head coach Jason Kidd has spoken about utilizing Flagg as a primary ball-handler while star point guard Kyrie Irving recovers from his torn ACL, so there’s still room for Washington to maintain a significant role.
“I want to put him at point guard,” Kidd said of Flagg upon his arrival earlier this summer. “I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts being able to run the show. Being able to play the two, play the three – he’s comfortable playing that. But we want to push. And I think he’s going to respond in a positive way.”
Dallas originally acquired Washington from the Charlotte Hornets midway through the 2023-24 season. His 3-and-D skills helped the Mavs make a surprising run to the 2024 NBA Finals. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 38.1 percent from three-point range, the second-best mark of his career.
Retaining Washington would give Dallas one of the deepest frontcourt groups in the NBA, led by star power forward Anthony Davis and the center combination of Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford. While he may be relegated to a bench role once Irving is healthy, Washington will still be counted on as a key contributor, and his eventual extension affirms his importance to the Mavs as they try to return to title contention next year and beyond.
