P.J. Washington is caught between two timelines as Mavericks begin the Dusty May era

When the Dallas Mavericks traded for P.J. Washington in 2024, they were in win-now mode. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were their superstars, and thanks to the Washington and Daniel Gafford trades at the trade deadline, they reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011 that season.

Washington was the perfect complementary player for Doncic and Irving, and with him being just six months older than Doncic, he made sense as a long-term role player to grow alongside Luka and hold down the Mavs' frontcourt.

The Mavericks' direction has changed since 2024

Since this NBA Finals berth, the Mavericks traded Doncic, parted ways with Jason Kidd, fired Nico Harrison, hired Masai Ujiri, drafted Cooper Flagg, and hired Dusty May. Dallas has gone from a juggernaut to a rebuilding squad in a loaded Western Conference, and Washington is stuck in the middle as he begins his eighth season next month.

P.J. Washington's fit in Dallas is complicated

P.J. is 28 years old, which is right in the middle of his prime. His rebounding, physicality, and versatility make him a player that any contender would love to have. The Mavs showcased their loyalty to him by giving him a four-year extension last offseason. This deal will keep him in Dallas through the end of the 2029-2030 season, meaning Washington will be 32 years old when this contract expires.

While Ujiri has long valued players with Washington's skill set, his long-term fit in Dallas must be discussed ahead of the 2026-27 season. He was involved in some trade rumors for the first time in his Mavericks career earlier this offseason, and his age, combined with the Mavericks' future-facing vision, complicates his place on the team as they begin a new era.

Washington would bring better value elsewhere

When comparing Washington to his teammates, he arguably has some of the most trade value on the team. The 28-year-old forward just averaged 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game in year seven. Combine this with his playoff experience as a starter in the NBA Finals, and he fits the mold of a player that contenders want and need to make deep playoff runs.

This is the exact effect he had during his first season in Dallas, and if the Mavericks move on, he'd likely do the same thing elsewhere. He remains a key figure in Dallas and can contribute to winning now, but their superstar is no longer near the same age as he is.

The Mavericks could benefit from going younger

Flagg is a 19-year-old prodigy, and it may be in the team's best interest to trade Washington for future first-round draft capital or a player who better aligns with Coop's timeline. Washington will probably be out of his prime by the time that the Mavs are ready to contend, but his impact on winning right now is still high.

This is why Dallas' situation with Washington is so hard to decipher. He's at the perfect age to play at a high level, but he's not so old to the point that he can't contribute on a young team.

The Mavericks' decision to trade or keep Washington could end up being one of the biggest stories of the season, as he is one of the longest-tenured players on the team, and the fanbase loves him. Dallas has a tough choice to make either way.

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