P.J. Washington's summer priority is key to avoiding a Mavericks trade

The Dallas Mavericks are in a season of change. Their 15-man roster has six new players who were not on the team at the end of last season, including three rookies and two first-round picks. Dallas has also made multiple trades, and several more trades could be on the way.

The Mavericks have 16 players on standard contracts, meaning they'll need to make at least one move to get down to 15 players before next season. One player who has been in some trade rumors this summer is P.J. Washington, but he's been working hard to make a key improvement that could make him the perfect fit in Dallas' young core alongside Cooper Flagg for years to come.

P.J. Washington wants to become a better shooter

In a recent exclusive interview with DLLS Sports' Kevin Gray Jr., the first thing that Washington brought up when asked about what he's been working on this summer was his 3-point shooting. He shot 32.5 percent from three last season on 4.2 attempts per game, a major drop from the 38.5 percent he shot in the season prior, and he is dedicated to getting this number back up.

"Just being able to knock down the three ball consistently," Washington said. "Obviously, I took a drop last year. I want to get that back up."

If Washington's hard work during the offseason on his jump shot pays off, he'll be an outstanding fit in Dallas' core. He already projects as a strong fit due to his leadership, versatility, and tenacity, but becoming a stronger shooter will make him someone that the Mavs can't afford to trade.

Why Washington's jumper is so crucial for Dallas

His 3-point shot has always been one of the biggest swing factors about his game, and it could ultimately determine if Dallas keeps him beyond the trade deadline next season.

When he's knocking down open shots, he looks unstoppable. Just take a look at his series against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. He averaged 17.7 points per game while shooting 46.9 percent from three, and his dominant showing from downtown helped defeat the Thunder in six games.

Dallas likely wouldn't have won that series if Washington hadn't stepped up and provided Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving with a reliable option on the wing, and this series showed how lethal he can be when he makes open shots.

Washington's shooting affects the rest of his game

But when Washington can't make open shots, his offensive game becomes a question mark. Defenses begin to dare him to shoot, his confidence takes a hit, and his driving can't be utilized as much because defenses sag off him.

This is one of the reasons that his on-court fit with Flagg looked so shaky last year, as Flagg had shooting struggles of his own. Combine this with both players being at their best off-ball and Washington being in and out of the lineup due to injuries, and the Mavericks had themselves a logjam in the frontcourt.

How Washington can save himself from being traded

Many fans expected Washington to be traded due to this, but he can change the narrative by silencing the critics by becoming a reliable shooter. He doesn't have to shoot over 45 percent from three, but he does have to be better. Washington is a 34.3 percent 3-point shooter over his two and a half seasons in Dallas, and consistency here is key.

It will help open up the floor for Flagg, make him more versatile offensively, and give him the confidence he needs to cement himself as someone who Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz covet. His shooting alone could determine how the new front office feels about his long-term fit, and it could save him from being traded.

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