Mavericks' draft-night pivot could kick a beloved starter to the curb

The prevailing belief among Dallas Mavericks fans is that the team will target a point guard in the draft. Someone to complement Kyrie Irving now and eventually replace the 34-year-old down the line. But that plan hinges entirely on lottery luck. If Dallas can’t land its preferred prospect and pivots to a wing instead, the ripple effects could put another player’s future in immediate question.

That player is P.J. Washington, who has proven to be a valuable asset and a fan-favorite in Dallas. He routinely sticks up for his teammates in an enforcer-type role and embodies what it means to be a true pro.

P.J. Washington’s fit alongside Cooper Flagg raises long-term questions

Yet, while Washington posted a solid stat line this past season — averaging 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game — his fit alongside Cooper Flagg proved less than ideal. The duo posted a -9.7 net rating, the third-worst among 52 Mavericks pairings that logged at least 450 minutes together.

And it wasn’t just his pairing with Flagg that struggled. Washington also posted a minus-10.7 net rating alongside Max Christie, the second-worst mark among Mavericks duos. As a result, Washington appears in two of Dallas’ three worst high-minute lineups.

It’s a striking revelation, considering Washington was once viewed as a key part of Dallas’ future and played a meaningful role in the franchise’s 2024 NBA Finals run. But in the NBA, fit and timing are everything, and Washington was a far better complement alongside the Mavericks' former poster boy, Luka Doncic.

His blend of physical defense and play-finishing ability meshed well with Doncic’s heliocentric style. However, that same archetype overlap raises questions in his pairing with Flagg, who operates less as a traditional floor spacer and more as a slashing, connective forward who thrives attacking downhill and operating in the mid-range. That overlap also diminishes Washington’s defensive value on the wing, with Flagg being a strong weakside shot-blocker and isolation defender in his own right.

Therefore, Washington’s role has become increasingly redundant alongside Flagg. Instead of complementing each other, their skill sets overlap in ways that diminish his long-term value in Dallas’ core rotation. As a result, rather than prioritizing a point guard, the Mavericks could pivot toward selecting a wing in the draft.

Mavericks could pivot draft plans if targets fall out of reach

It should be noted, however, that this upcoming draft class is flush with guards, with several point guard prospects projected in the 5-to-8 range. However, Dallas’ draft position remains uncertain, and a slide to ninth could realistically take them out of range for targets such as Darius Acuff Jr., Mikel Brown Jr., Kingston Flemings, or Keaton Wagler.

If Dallas misses out on those top point guard targets, Brayden Burries and Nate Ament could emerge as alternative options. Burries profiles as a combo guard who has handled primary playmaking duties at Arizona, but projects more cleanly as a shooting guard at the next level. Ament, meanwhile, is a 6-foot-10 forward who projects as a modern three-level scorer with the size and skill set to operate across both forward spots.

If that scenario plays out, Dallas could revisit the idea of trading Washington and inserting one of those prospects into the starting lineup between Christie at the two and Flagg at the four. That would be especially relevant if the 6-foot-7 forward is ultimately moved to clear space for a more traditional wing or scoring guard.

Washington’s future in Dallas is increasingly uncertain following a full season of evaluating his fit alongside Flagg. That decision may come to a head by the time the NBA Draft arrives. The Mavericks control three draft picks, giving them added flexibility as they navigate a pivotal offseason.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow