P.J. Washington trade just keeps getting better for the Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks made the bold decision to trade for P.J. Washington at the 2024 trade deadline, and while this choice on its own has worked out beautifully, a move that they didn't make as a result of the Washington trade is looking just as smart as well.

Heading into that deadline, Dallas had their eyes on Washington and Kyle Kuzma. The team wanted to get Luka Doncic some help on the wing to make an end-of-season push, and that's exactly what Washington provided. His strength, competitiveness, and versatility gave the Mavericks a player that they desperately needed to get to the next level, and he helped them reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011.

On the other hand, Kuzma has struggled tremendously over the last few seasons since the deal that was on the table to send him to Dallas fell through. And a recent ranking from Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz proves exactly this.

How the Mavericks nearly avoided a trade deadline disaster

Over the weekend, Swartz ranked the most overrated players in the league, and Kuzma came in as the No. 9 most overrated player in the NBA. Swartz's reasoning for this ranking includes his poor 3-point shooting and lack of defense, and the Milwaukee Bucks haven't gotten much out of him since trading for him.

Kuzma has averaged just 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 32.8 percent from downtown, and his impact on winning has been a major question mark since he arrived in Milwaukee. Doc Rivers can't even rely on him to be a consistent starter, even with the Bucks' struggles this season, and the Mavericks obviously got lucky that Kuzma opted to remain with the Washington Wizards rather than be moved to Dallas.

The Mavericks were ready to cough up multiple first-round picks to bring in Kuzma, and they got the far better deal for trading for P.J. Washington for a far lower price.

Washington has been Dallas' primary starting power forward since the moment he was traded to the team, and even though his fit with Flagg has been shaky thus far, he has been the heart and soul of the team. Everyone looks his way when things get hard, and the Mavericks clearly believe that he will be a key piece of their future. They handed him a four-year contract extension last offseason, and he could find himself going down as a Mavericks legend if he remains with the team for years to come.

Washington spent most of his childhood in Dallas, and playing for the Mavericks was a dream come true for him. He grew up going to Mavericks games, and this chapter of his career has been an excellent fit on and off the court.

Even though the Mavs don't have much to play for over the final 28 games of the season, Washington's play is going to be one of the most important things to keep an eye on. He gives his full energy and effort, regardless of the situation that is going on around him, and he is a true Maverick through and through.

The team's decision to acquire him was one of the most impactful moves that Dallas has made in recent memory, and the trade that brought him to the Mavericks just keeps getting better.