2 Mavericks players who are reportedly outworking everyone this summer

2. P.J. Washington

Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington became a fan favorite for Dallas in the 2024 NBA Playoffs as he stood on business in their series against the LA Clippers and dominated against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and he is one of the players who Marc Stein said has been in the gym heavily this summer.

Washington is focused on improving his ball handling and playmaking this summer, and him improving in these areas makes Dallas' offense much more versatile and fast-paced.

While Jason Kidd sometimes allowed Washington to bring the ball up the floor last season, him becoming more confident and polished as a ball handler and creator will only allow him to improve even more. Using Washington as a point forward one day would be nice for Dallas, and he is going to be a key part of Dallas' success this season.

The Mavs have also reportedly been working with Washington on changing up his jump shot some, and Dallas is going to be lethal if he can shoot like he did in the NBA Playoffs consistently. He became an assassin from the corners, and him sharing the floor with Klay Thompson is going to help him get even more open looks.

Washington will likely start at the four once again and he is going to have much more defensive pressure on him now that Thompson is in the starting lineup with him. He no longer has Derrick Jones Jr. on the wing to help him shut down opposing ball handlers, and him taking another leap defensively would help the Mavs considerably.

Washington focussing on improving his craft this summer is going to be huge early on in the season, and he is one of the biggest X-factors for the Mavs heading into the 2024-25 season.