3 moves that would make the Dallas Mavericks NBA Finals contenders

3. Sign and trade for P.J. Washington

P.J. Washington is a name that has been thrown around Mavericks' Twitter for a few days, but nothing has happened. There aren't any rumors about the Mavericks being interested in Washington, but Dallas needs to make a move for him.

Washington averaged 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game for the Charlotte Hornets last season. He shot a career-low 34.8 percent from downtown last season, but that could be due to increased volume.

Adding Washington to this Mavericks' team could prove to be more valuable than the Matisse Thybulle signing. Washington is much better offensively than Thybulle, and he plays great defense. He isn't a better defender than Thybulle, but not many people are.

Washington is 6-foot-7, has a 7-foot-3 wingspan, and weighs 230 pounds. Dallas lacks positional size, and having a long wing like Washington would benefit them. He would primarily be used as a power forward, but he even showed he can play some small ball center due to his length and strength.

Washington is reportedly seeking a contract in the $18 million range annually according to Marc Stein (subscription required), but the Mavericks could try to get him on a little bit of a bargain as he comes back home to DFW, where he grew up.

If Charlotte won't extend Washington, they might as well get something out of him.

**Sign-and-trade: Charlotte's P.J. Washington agrees to a four-year, $64 million contract with Dallas.

This trade lands Dallas another starting frontcourt player and gives them youth, as he is just 24 years old.