Rumors: Mavericks' former 'preferred' trade target is back on the trade block

The Dallas Mavericks are in the middle of an intense Western Conference Finals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and a big reason for their success in these playoffs has been the play of their role players.

P.J. Washington and Derrick Jones Jr. have been outstanding in these playoffs, and they are making defenses pay for leaving them open. Part of the Oklahoma City Thunder's game plan was leaving Washington open due to them focussing so much on Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and Irving pointed out that that was one area they had to expose.

Washington was one of Dallas' two "preferred" trade targets at the 2024 NBA trade deadline as they looked to upgrade at the power forward position, and the other target they didn't land is reportedly back on the trade block.

Rumors: Kyle Kuzma is back on the trade block

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma will be "on the trade market." Dallas and Washington had a deal in place that would have sent Kuzma to Dallas, but he decided to stay in Washington and "continue to build something."

The Wizards only won 15 games last year, and the Mavs caught a huge break by not trading for Kuzma. Washington has been an outstanding fit at the power forward position, and his defense combined with his improved 3-point shooting is helping him evolve into the third scorer that the Mavs need.

There is no sense of direction when it comes to the Wizards and what they're trying to build, and Kuzma would be in a much different position right now if he allowed the trade for him to be sent to the Mavs rather than turn it down.

The package that Dallas was going to send to Washington for Kuzma included Grant Williams and an unprotected first-round pick, and the Mavs struck gold by trading for Washington rather than Kuzma.

For all the latest on P.J. Washington and the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs, stay tuned.