P.J. Washington's only path to remain a Maverick is already clear to see

All signs are pointing to the Dallas Mavericks giving P.J. Washington a contract extension soon, as he is officially eligible for a four-year extension worth about $90 million, but that doesn't mean that he is untouchable for years to come.

A new extension would mean that Washington will likely remain in Dallas for all of the 2025-26 season since it would come with a six-month trade restriction, but he still needs to prove that he can fit alongside Cooper Flagg, the new face of the franchise. Nico Harrison and Washington himself have already made it clear that they believe he and Flagg can coexist despite both playing the same position, and Washington will have to continue to improve as a 3-point shooter to solidify himself as a key piece of the Flagg era.

Washington is just now entering his prime, and the 2025-26 season will be a major trial run to see if he and Flagg will be good fits together or if they should trade Washington for assets down the road.

P.J. Washington's Mavericks future will live or die by his 3-point shooting

Dallas is already all in on their double-big strategy, as they extended Daniel Gafford this summer, and adding Flagg to an already loaded frontcourt means that Washington will need to prove himself as an effective floor spacer who can play with or without Flagg.

As things stand now, it seems like Klay Thompson will start over Washington to begin the season, and once everyone is healthy, meaning that the starting five will likely be D'Angelo Russell, Thompson, Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Dereck Lively II. Starting Washington over Thompson would be complicated, as the Mavs need as much shooting as they can get around Davis and Lively II, and Thompson may be the better answer to help address their shooting woes as things stand.

Washington will immediately become one of the best sixth men in the NBA if he does get sent to the bench, and he'll definitely be a major X-factor for the team's overall success.

Last season, Washington shot 38.1 percent from downtown on 4.2 attempts per game, and this was just 0.5 percent off from it being the best 3-point shooting season of his career. He showed major improvements from the previous season, as he shot 31.4 percent from three in his first season in Dallas, and his decrease in volume combined with his tweaked jumper helped lead to this jump.

Washington's game became much more balanced last season compared to the 2023-24 season, as his dribble-drive game and finishing around the rim were evident in most games. He wasn't only dependent on his 3-point jumper, and this season is going to be a major test when it comes to his long-term future in Dallas.

To make a lineup work where Washington can fit next to Flagg, he is going to need to hit threes at a high rate, and if last season's growth continues into next season, this won't be a problem at all. His shooting off the catch is already strong, and he has already shown that he isn't afraid to let it fly from downtown in big moments.

Washington's 2024 playoff run, specifically against the Oklahoma City Thunder, put him on the map among Mavericks fans, and he hasn't slowed down ever since.

If Washington signs an extension with the Mavericks soon, the 2025-26 season will decide his fate. Dallas is now in the Flagg era, and his 3-point shooting could ultimately decide if he has the chance to go down as a Mavs legend or if he heads elsewhere.