DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks entered a rare position. They hold the No. 1 pick in Cooper Flagg while still competing for titles. Kyrie Irving’s torn ACL ruined last season. Injuries piled up. The Mavericks fell out of the play-in. But lottery luck smiled. Dallas landed Flagg with just a 1.8 percent chance. Through the chaos, one player held steady. P.J. Washington remained as one of the most reliable players on the roster. His consistency helped carry Dallas. Now, the Mavericks are set to reward him. Christian Clark of The Athletic broke the news.
The Mavericks and Washington are finalizing a four-year, $89 million deal. The Dallas Mavericks are closing in on a contract extension with one of their most versatile players. His deal runs through 2030, locking in a crucial two-way wing. Washington will earn $14.1 million this season. The extension starts in 2026-27.
Washington’s fit was immediate after arriving from Charlotte in February 2024. Dallas gave up Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and a first-round pick. The price was steep, but the reward was clear. Washington became Dallas’ top perimeter defender during the Finals run. He spaced the floor and hit nearly 47 percent from three against Oklahoma City.
The Mavericks securing PJ Washington on a four-year extension is more than money. It secures their elite two-way wing. It removes a target for rivals. NBA rules now prevent a trade for six months. That guarantees Washington plays alongside Flagg in his rookie season.
Washington just turned 27. He sits perfectly between the Mavericks’ veteran core and their rookie centerpiece. Last season, he averaged 14.7 points and posted a career-best 55.6 true shooting percentage. He also added 7.8 rebounds despite missing time with an ankle injury.
The Mavericks signing PJ Washington to this extension also represents value. Washington’s deal comes under $25 million annually. Comparable wings earn far more. Dallas secures a bargain while protecting their title window. There are questions of his fit with Flagg but they are a bit unnecessary. Both Flagg and Washington are versatile and fluid wings that will find a way to fit around each other.
Extending Washington is not a gamble. His defense, versatility, and ability to space the floor make him indispensable. General manager Nico Harrison knows Washington well, going as far back as middle school. He recognized that Washington was not showcasing his full skill set in Charlotte. Now Dallas benefits from his growth.
The extension signals a clear message. The Mavericks are not waiting on Flagg to develop. They want to win now. Washington, homegrown from nearby Frisco, has become the two-way wing every contender craves.
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