Mavericks continue to win P.J. Washington trade as forgotten wing struggles elsewhere

Two years ago, the Dallas Mavericks altered franchise history by trading for forward P.J. Washington. It was a pivotal move, as Washington played a significant role in helping Dallas advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011.

His presence immediately helped Dallas forget Grant Williams (the player they traded for him). He was a player who was expected to bring some of the qualities Washington brought. The 6-foot-7 forward's quick transition in Dallas made him a fan-favorite, as his defensive success helped the team reach new heights.

In simple terms, the Washington trade from the Charlotte Hornets has been a dominant win for Dallas, as Grant Williams has struggled to meet expectations in Charlotte. His recent struggles prove Dallas got the better end of the deal.

The Grant Williams experiment was short-lived in Dallas

The Mavericks acquired Grant Williams in a sign-and-trade deal two years ago. The deal looked promising at the time, as Williams was a major contributor for the Boston Celtics during their Eastern Conference Finals runs. He was expected to fill Dallas' power forward void, bringing toughness and strong 3-point shooting.

He showed promise in his first game with the Mavs, scoring 17 points and shooting 50 percent from long range. Things, though, went south after a couple of games. He struggled to find a consistent rhythm. His inability to shoot the ball and poor ball-handling skills made his offensive game look non-existent.

Defensively, he wasn't the same player shown in Boston. He struggled in big moments and failed to consistently make an impact on the defensive side of the ball. Dallas eventually had seen enough, and they traded him to the Hornets for P.J. Washington.

Fast forward to now, and the Mavs made the right decision. Williams has deeply regressed since the trade, especially this season. The former Maverick had one of his worst seasons this year. He shot 42.6 percent from the field, and averaged seven points per game and 3.9 rebounds.

This was a dip from the season prior, where he averaged 10.4 points and 5.1 rebounds. His recent skid was best exemplified in the Hornets' first Play-In Tournament game, where he scored five points and shot 20 percent from the 3-point line in 18 minutes.

It again is a testament that Dallas made the right decision in trading Williams, as they look like clear winners with Washington on their roster.

Washington's quick progression solved Dallas forward troubles

On the flip side, Washington has been a spark for Dallas since his arrival. As mentioned, the savvy forward made huge contributions during his first year with the team. He, along with Daniel Gafford, helped solidify the Mavs' defense. They became key defensive anchors and embraced the team's hype-man role.

Washington quickly solved Grant Williams' issues in Dallas. He excelled in knocking down perimeter shots, plus was a huge help down low, averaging 5.1 defensive rebounds.

His presence alone helped the Mavs overcome the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, a team expected to make the NBA Finals. Dallas, though, rode Washington's shoulders, as he averaged 17.7 points per game in the series and shot 46.9 percent from the 3-point line.

Washington's fast resurgence made him a primary starter in Dallas, as he excelled alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

While Washington's future in Dallas continues to remain in doubt, it's clear he helped flip the script on the Williams trade. His impact made Mavs fans fall in love with his game during that 2024 playoff run.

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