Mavericks need P.J. Washington to escape brutal trap derailing his path to stardom

The Dallas Mavericks' frontcourt hasn't been the same since the Luka Doncic trade. Multiple players have failed to replicate their success from prior seasons, as injuries and statistics have taken a hit. However, Doncic's ability to make his teammates better has been the biggest difference. It's clear Dallas needs a playmaker to get teammates involved, and the frontcourt players are the ones who are suffering the most.

This is what differentiated Doncic from Anthony Davis. He could make his teammates better and get them involved seamlessly. Before being traded, Doncic averaged 8.1 assists per game in his final month with the team. He largely excelled in pick-and-roll opportunities and turned average role players into killer monsters inside.

This is especially true for Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford. Both players excelled under Doncic's offense. Lively II was a star in the making, as he and Doncic created undeniable chemistry down low. They became a lob threat for opposing defenders. Gafford, on the other hand, saw a decline in his pick-and-roll opportunities. It's obvious Doncic's absence has left a major hole in the Mavs' offense.

P.J. Washington must continue his shooting excellence in new role

Another player who has been affected by the Doncic trade is P.J. Washington. He played well when Doncic was in the lineup, as he was the team's hard-nosed defender. Offensively, Washington could shoot from all angles and wasn't afraid to get his shots the hard way. He also did well catching and shooting the ball, as Doncic helped open up his opportunities.

However, Washington does have his flaws. For example, the season before last, he struggled shooting the ball from downtown as he shot 31.4 percent from three. This is a statistic that worried many Mavs, as they were never really sure which Washington they were going to get.

In his first month with the team, he shot 28.7 percent from long range. There were multiple games in which Washington couldn't make a 3-point shot, as he went on various cold streaks. His numbers jumped in April when he shot 37.5 percent from the 3-point line. Washington's shooting performance continued to rise, as he dominated in the playoffs. He shot an astonishing 46.9 percent against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Washington struggled at the beginning of this season, as his shooting slump reoccurred. He shot 25 percent from the 3-point line in October. It was a concern that worried Mavs fans, as his playoff numbers seemed nonexistent, and he went back to his old ways.

His numbers gradually increased throughout the season. However, in the team's final play-in game, Washington struggled once again. He missed all three of his 3-point attempts against the Memphis Grizzlies and went 0-5 from the field.

This is something that can't happen in the future, as Washington has transitioned into a new role since the Doncic trade. Before the trade, he was the team's starting power forward alongside either Lively II or Gafford. Now, Davis has slid into Washington's old role. This means Washington has transitioned into the three spot.

As mentioned, Washington was a good 3-point shooter last season and made huge improvements in that department all season long. He converted 38.1 percent of his shots from long range, a 6.7 percent increase from the past season. This means that with him starting at the small forward spot, he must continue shooting at a high level.

It's the only way the Mavs' new lineup can be effective. If you break down the lineup, it's obvious the team's frontcourt will need all the shooting help they can get. In nine games with Dallas, Davis shot 23 percent from the 3-point line. So, having Washington adjacent will only work if he can shoot well.

We all know what the team is capable of with Klay Thompson at the two. The only question will be, who is running the point guard spot with Kyrie Irving out? So, aside from Thompson, Dallas needs an extra shooter. Washington is the perfect candidate, as he has shown flashes of performing at a high level. His shooting is the perfect ingredient for the Mavs' new lineup to work.

So P.J. Washington must continue to unleash his full potential. The new Mavs' offense is counting on him, and this offseason will be a great chance for him to polish his game. If Nico Harrison believes the team is a couple of years away from winning a title, then it all starts with Washington's shooting.