Dallas Mavericks ahead PJ Washington has been highlighted in NBA offseason conversations for a number of days.
The first purpose is Washington’s new four-year, 90 million extension with the Dallas Mavericks, cementing his position as a key franchise piece.
Since touchdown in Dallas by a February 2024 commerce, Washington has been essential for the Mavericks.
He helped the workforce attain the 2024 NBA Finals whereas beginning 56 video games final season, averaging 14.7 factors, 7.8 rebounds, and a couple of.3 assists per sport.
Washington shot a stable 38.1% from past the arc final season whereas offering defensive worth with 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per sport.
Regardless of his constant beginning position, Washington might turn into a Sixth Man of the 12 months candidate subsequent season, in accordance with NBA insider Zach Lowe.
The arrival of primary decide Cooper Flagg will seemingly transfer Washington to a bench position, creating a chance for award consideration.
“This [contract] takes him proper by his prime. He’s a pleasant jack of all trades who can perform a little little bit of every thing on the proper sorts of positions,” Lowe defined.
“He may not begin this yr for the Mavericks. I penciled in very tentatively, D-Lo because the Kyrie placeholder, Klay, Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Full of life or Gafford, whoever they resolve to begin.”
“And that places PJ Washington in a bench position. I believe he then turns into a candidate for Sixth Man of the 12 months. He’s going to play a ton of minutes at a ton of various positions, together with possibly tremendous large lineups with him and Flagg and Davis and Full of life. I simply suppose he’s a very good participant,” Lowe added.
The ESPN analyst believes Washington’s positional flexibility makes him significantly helpful coming off the bench. His skill to play completely different roles might maximize his impression and award candidacy.
If Washington maintains his robust efficiency coming off the bench, his award probabilities can be substantial.
The 27-year-old ahead might nonetheless begin if Jason Kidd decides to play Flagg as some extent guard with ball-handling obligations.
| Place | With PJ Washington as a starter | With PJ Washington on the bench |
| Level Guard | Cooper Flagg | D’Angelo Russell |
| Taking pictures Guard | Klay Thompson | Klay Thompson |
| Small Ahead | P.J. Washington | Cooper Flagg |
| Energy Ahead | Anthony Davis | Anthony Davis |
| Middle | Daniel Gafford | Daniel Gafford |
Lowe’s co-host Kirk Goldsberry believes Washington’s presence will considerably profit the Mavericks subsequent season.
“I believe he’s proven in large moments in Dallas that he’s a profitable participant. And I agree. I believe the Mavericks are probably the most fascinating groups coming into the season for quite a lot of causes,” Goldsberry said.
