P.J. Washington could make or break the Mavericks' ideal starting five

The layout of the Dallas Mavericks' starting five seems set before they even play a game. Kyrie Irving, Max Christie, Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, and one of Dallas' big men seems like the most logical starting five as the Mavericks look to reach the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2024, and Washington's play could be what determines if this group has the juice to hang with playoff teams in the Western Conference.

Will P.J. Washington fit with the rest of the starting five?

For the most part, Dallas knows what they're going to get out of everyone else. Irving will be the all-world shot creator who can score at all three levels, playmake for others, and run the show alongside Flagg. Christie will bring strong 3-point shooting and spacing. Flagg is the team's star wing who plays elite defense and is a dominant finisher. The Mavs' starting big, whether that's Daniel Gafford or Dereck Lively II, will be their defensive anchor and rim runner.

These roles all complement each other, but the biggest question mark of how this unit will look is how Washington fits into the mix.

Washington's role has changed since Dallas' 2024 playoff run

The best basketball of his Mavericks career came when he was playing alongside Luka Doncic. Luka would feed Washington open looks, and his impact was judged by how he complemented Dallas' star duo of Irving and Doncic. Washington was exactly what that team needed due to the toughness, defense, and energy he brought on the wing, especially during their NBA Finals run in 2024, but this year's team looks much different than it did two years ago.

While Irving is still one of the stars, Dallas' other star is no longer an elite passer and one of the best scorers in the NBA like Doncic was. It's Cooper Flagg — a do-it-all wing whose impact comes from relentless slashing, high-energy defense, and all-around athleticism.

Washington and Cooper Flagg weren't a great fit

Flagg and Washington had some early fit concerns last season, as both Washington and Flagg struggled as shooters. It didn't help that the Mavericks didn't have much spacing around them with Irving out of the lineup, but Washington's fit alongside the new franchise cornerstone was clunky at best.

Washington plays the same position as Flagg and brings many of the same skills. This is one of the reasons that Washington's fit in this starting five is a major uncertainty next season.

One of the biggest questions surrounding Washington ahead of his eighth season is whether he will have a resurgence from beyond the arc after shooting 32.5 percent from three last season. Flagg isn't known for his shooting either, as he shot below 30 percent from three as a rookie, but the Mavs can live through the growing pains there. Flagg is their guy, and they're trying to put a team around him that brings the best out of him.

With Washington, they need him to be a reliable shooter. They need spacing in the other starting spot on the wing next to Flagg to give the former Duke Blue Devil enough room to operate in the paint and drive to the rim.

Why Washington has to step up to the plate

Irving will help Flagg tremendously due to his advanced offensive game. Christie's shooting will help open up the floor. Dallas' bigs will anchor the paint and clean up the mess if players get blown by on the perimeter.

This leaves Washington as the player with the most to prove as he enters the first year of a four-year contract extension, and with all of the trade rumors that have surrounded him this summer, both he and the Mavs would benefit from him playing well.

What Washington has to do to keep his starting job

If Washington can make open shots, accept a less prominent offensive role, take care of the ball more in the open court, and defend well, he should fit just fine within Dallas' ideal five-man starting lineup. He has already proven that he thrives more as a complementary player than he does as a featured option on offense, and Irving's return will help take some responsibility off his plate.

But if he doesn't fit, Dusty May may have to go back to the drawing board and figure out a different starting unit. Washington is quietly a major X-factor within this group despite his starting spot seeming guaranteed, and his play could largely determine whether this group looks like a playoff starting five or a work in progress.

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