Dallas Mavericks still in play to trade for young Hornets forward

With just a few hours until the official NBA trade deadline at 2:00 p.m. central time, the Dallas Mavericks are discussing a trade with the Charlotte Hornets for forward P.J. Washington, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Dallas has registered interest in Washington for weeks, but there seemed to be a hold up in regard to the amount of compensation that the Mavericks would be willing to send back to Charlotte in a theoretical Washington deal.

As reported by NBA insider Marc Stein, Dallas may not feel comfortable giving up Josh Green in a P.J. Washington-deal. However, Adrian Wojanrowksi had something interesting to say on his podcast late Wednesday night that gives light to Dallas and Charlotte being engaged in active trade talks for a Washington deal still.

Dallas Mavericks still in play to trade for young Hornets forward

"Those teams talked today, they talked tonight. I think there’s still more conversation to be had. I think that’s largely off of draft compensation. ... So that’s one to watch."

- Adrian Wojnarowski

Washington is a two-way athletic wing that can play the four on defense, as Dallas has long prophesied for a player of that ilk this season. But whether or not he’s worth giving up some of Dallas’ more coveted assets in Green or Dallas’ only deployable first round pick (2027), is certainly up for debate.

Washington is a good scorer who can create for himself in the mid-range, but the 25-year-old forward has seen his percentage from three-point range dip this season. Washington is currently averaging 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game on 44.6/32.4/71.3 shooting splits.

Washington may not be the definitive All-Star level two-way wing that Dallas has at the top of their pecking order in terms of trade targets, but he has the potential to be just as good as Kyle Kuzma, Jerami Grant, or Pascal Siakam even if he continues to stay on his developmental track.

Dallas is finalizing a trade for Washington Wizards center Daniel Gafford in exchange for Richaun Holmes and draft compensation, so we’ll see if Dallas ends up trading for Washington or makes another move ahead of the deadline.

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