Mavericks' new forward has been crucial in win streak despite offensive struggles

Bradley Lockett

Oklahoma City Thunder v Dallas Mavericks / Sam Hodde/GettyImages

The Dallas Mavericks cruise into All-Star Weekend with a six-game winning streak in their pocket. Feeling like one of the winners of this year's trade deadline, the Mavericks' newly acquired players are impacting the team quickly.

Daniel Gafford has been a spark plug for the Mavericks on both sides of the floor. Having a trustworthy big holding down the paint allows their perimeter defenders to play better as well.

P.J. Washington is what the Mavericks have been searching for when it comes to a versatile forward. His ability to pressure guards on the wing, but also have standup post defense allows him to create opportunities on the defensive end.

Mavericks' new forward has been crucial in win streak despite offensive struggles

It's still taking some time for Washington to get comfortable in an offense with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Nonetheless, there's no doubt that once the team has time and becomes more cohesive, he'll have more opportunities and be the two-way player he's known to be.

P.J. Washington didn't have his best offensive game, but on defense he used his length to frustrate Kyle Kuzma.

He was scrambling to close out on threes as well as staying in front of him to force him into tough shots and a bad pass in crunch time.

His defensive effort was… pic.twitter.com/bI3FFVG9ls
— Mavs Film Room 🐴🎥 (@MavsFilmRoom) February 13, 2024

Looking beyond the All-Star break, the Mavericks have an opportunity to go on a run. A couple of Western Conference teams stand beyond the Mavs in the standings but have some of the toughest remaining schedules. While the Mavericks have an easier path to end the season.

Washington isn't going to score 30 points every night, but he frees up and allows the team to play better when he is fulfilling his role. If he continues to be a force on the defensive end, we will see him naturally become more comfortable on the offensive side.

For further updates on P.J. Washington and the Dallas Mavericks, stay tuned.

Bradley Lockett

Bradley Lockett is a contributor for The Smoking Cuban, where he has been covering the Dallas Mavericks since October 2023. With a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and Marketing from Texas State University, his background in sports runs deep. A former collegiate football player at Western Colorado University and a multi-sport athlete in high school, his firsthand experience on the field fueled his passion for sports media. Bradley brings unique insight to Mavericks coverage, specializing in game analysis and reader engagement, connecting with fans through in-depth breakdowns and compelling storytelling. Outside of writing, he enjoys traveling, socializing with friends, and watching almost every sport imaginable.