Mavericks hold the Thunder's missing piece to slow down Victor Wembanyama

After losing in seven games to a young San Antonio Spurs squad and Victor Wembanyama, it's clear the Oklahoma City Thunder need to make some changes around the edges, and trading for P.J. Washington may be the final move to unlock this Thunder team's full power. They held their own against this series against San Antonio, once holding a 3-2 lead in the series, but they need a final piece to throw at Wemby.

OKC needs a Wemby stopper

Mark Daigneault tried throwing Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort, and Alex Caruso at the Defensive Player of the Year, and while Hartenstein did a good job defending him, they need another wing who can guard him.

Caruso and Dort did a decent job, but Washington brings a blend of size, length, and strength on the wing that they don't have right now. The key to slowing down Wembanyama is throwing as many versatile defenders at him as possible, and Washington has already succeeded in this role as a member of the Mavs.

With Washington's added physicality and strength, he may be the final addition to ensure long-term success in Oklahoma City. He projects to be a good defender on Wembanyama, and the Thunder would be adding another big body to throw at the 7-foot-4 Frenchman.

For the Mavericks, a trade of this magnitude makes perfect sense regardless of the Thunder being a bitter rival. Washington is not only a questionable long-term fit alongside Cooper Flagg, but it would also be a great chance to acquire more draft picks in a year when the NBA Draft is full of talent.

The Thunder own the number 12 and 17 picks in the NBA Draft, and it may be one of the only opportunities the Mavericks get to trade back into the first round if they are hellbent on keeping their pick at nine. For the Thunder, adding Washington's size and physicality is a recipe for success after getting beaten on the boards and in strength against the Spurs.

A Washington trade is a win-win for the Thunder and Mavericks

Losing a player of Washington's stature would be yet another blow to the Mavericks' core. Washington became an instant fan-favorite after arriving during the 2024 trade deadline, not only due to his Dallas ties but also due to the physicality and emotion he brought to the Mavericks.

Now, with Flagg's future on the line, the Mavericks may be forced to explore trading Washington and other veterans in hopes of building a roster better built for the future. Washington may be a big domino to fall, but after the Thunder's playoff loss to the Spurs, OKC may be desperate to add a physical frontcourt defender to help counter Wembanyama's height and length.

Although Washington's offensive output has declined in the few seasons he has been in Dallas, the Thunder need a slasher who can be an intimidating force on the defensive end. There's no doubt that through all of the changes the Mavericks have seen over the past few seasons, Washington has remained one of the Mavericks' top defenders, and for OKC, he may be the final trade piece needed to get a leg up on the Spurs.

Washington has seen a steady dip in his 3-point accuracy, going from 38.1 percent in the 2024-25 season to 32.5 percent this past season, but alongside many floor spacers, Washington may once again get the respect he deserves on the offensive end. He can not only penetrate the defense, but if paired alongside Jalen Williams or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he may be left all alone in a wide-open corner, making this trade even more enticing for the Thunder.

Why a Washington trade makes sense for Dallas

There's no doubt that Washington's fit on a Dallas squad built around Flagg is cloudy after being a shell of himself in a new role this past season. With Washington's contract extension in full effect, not only would the Mavericks be presumably shedding salary in a deal with the Thunder, but they could be adding valuable picks.

The only way for the Mavericks to be invested in this trade is if they get Oklahoma City's picks in this season's draft. With the Thunder sitting at 12 and 17, it would be safe to assume the Thunder will be more than willing to move off at least one of those picks, given their already young roster, and Washington may be the perfect name to get the Thunder to trade them to Dallas.

Washington's defensive physicality was an intangible the Thunder missed in the Western Conference Finals, and while he may not be the primary defender on Wembanyama, he offers plenty of flexibility that they otherwise don't have on their roster right now.

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