Mavericks are quietly facing a P.J. Washington problem they can't overlook

Two years ago, the Dallas Mavericks made the NBA Finals. It was a major milestone, as it had been 13 seasons since Dallas reached the championship. A big part of their success was two mid-season trades that brought in Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington. The two players were major contributors to a team that lacked physical presence inside.

Fast forward to now, and it seems both players mentioned above have taken a step back. Injuries have been a factor, especially for Washington, as his inability to stay on the court is beginning to cause headaches for an organization trying to return to the playoffs.

The Mavericks are facing a tough realization. Washington may unfortunately be injury-prone, and his recent injuries over the past two seasons put them at a major crossroads of what to do next.

Washington's injury history is putting Dallas in an uncomfortable spot

Mavs fans were excited for the team's future outlook after Dallas' Finals run. The team retained most of their core from their championship run, and they seemed destined to take a major leap.

Things, though, took a major turn when Luka Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Then, injuries started to pile up. Players like Washington struggled to stay on the court. It was the start of a painful reality that the organization hated to see. Their prized possession from a season ago was now struggling to stay healthy.

The injuries began in November 2024 when Washington missed five games due to a knee sprain. Dallas' forward also dealt with ankle management issues that forced him to sit out stretches in February, March, and April because of right ankle soreness and a sprain. Basically, his string of injuries forced him to miss 25 matches, as he played a career-low 57 games.

Fans hoped Washington's health would improve this past season, but he again struggled to stay in the lineup. Most recently, the Mavs' forward missed his final four games of the season with a left elbow sprain. It was a sign of another season where Washington again struggled to remain on the court, and he is set to miss time this offseason as he recovers from this elbow injury.

Last season, he played in 53 games. Injuries again took their toll, as Washington missed several games in November with a shoulder strain. He also dealt with multiple right ankle sprains that set him back. The reality was that Dallas couldn't trust Washington.

Washington's injuries could force Dallas to trade him

Washington's recent string of injuries could doom his future with Dallas. He suffered multiple ankle injuries this past season, and it's very possible Dallas could explore trading him this summer.

Remember, he signed a four-year extension with the team back in November, which made him ineligible to be traded during the 2025-26 season. Dallas, though, can trade him once the offseason starts, and it seems the team could gauge his trade interest. Washington's injuries could become so problematic that the Mavs end his time with the team. I mean, ask Anthony Davis how his injury history turned out.

Washington has been a tremendous asset to Dallas. He played a key role in helping revamp the Mavs' defense with his toughness. Not to mention, he single-handedly beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024 to help Dallas make the Western Conference Finals. However, his time in Dallas may have run its course.

Unless Washington's health magically improves, Dallas will likely examine trading him. Plus, playing the same position as Cooper Flagg isn't helping his case.

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