P.J. Washington trade looks by better by the day for Mavericks

At the time of the 2024 NBA trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks' season was looking sketchy.

Despite some of their amazing stretches, Dallas wasn't consistent and didn't look like a team that was going to win, let alone make the NBA Finals.

Dallas shocked everyone, and their trade for P.J. Washington is a big part of the reason that Dallas was able to turn their season around.

P.J. Washington trade looks by better by the day for Mavericks

They were able to trade Grant Williams to the Charlotte Hornets, a player who quickly wore out his welcome, and they landed an elite 3-and-D wing in Washington. He filled his role perfectly, and his presence alone helped fix Dallas' culture.

That can't be said about every player, and Washington looks like a long-term fit in Dallas. Over 22 playoff games, Washington averaged 13.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 42.7 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from downtown.

Washington emerged as the third scorer for Dallas at times, and he proved that Dallas was the place for him. He has dreamed of playing for the Mavs since middle school, and he is living out his dream by the day.

His defense, 3-point shooting, and chemistry with those around him have helped him form into an elite role player next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and he looks like someone who will be around for a long time.

Dallas' trade for Washington is looking like a better trade by the day, and his fit on the Mavs combined with Williams' performance in Dallas and overall fit is evidence of that. Despite Williams' hot start, he eventually wasn't a great fit on and off the floor, and him not coming into the season in the right shape was a problem.

It's clear to anyone who watches Mavericks basketball that Washington was the better fit and better player, and the trade that Dallas made for him helped push them to the Finals.

Dallas is in a position to contend again next year, and a big reason for that is them upgrading from Williams to Washington. The future is bright for Washington and the Mavs, and they are a completely different team with him on the roster.

For all the latest on P.J. Washington and the Dallas Mavericks, stay tuned.