Mavs Signing P.J. Washington Rumors Forecast Another Savvy Move

The Dallas Mavericks' offseason will be remembered most by the acquisition of a generational prospect at the top of the draft, but various contract agreements have set the club up nicely to field a deep roster that can compete for a championship over the next few seasons.

Dallas restructured center Daniel Gafford's contract, securing the big man for three years and $54 million - terms that seem like a relative bargain given to his two-way value during the Mavericks' NBA Finals run a season ago.

Point guard Kyrie Irving began his knee rehab by opting out of his player option for this year, then re-signing at a slight discount. His new contract of three years, $118 million unlocked the taxpayer mid-level exception that the Mavs used in part to sign Irving's substitutes in veteran guards D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum in free agency.

The latest contract talks rumored by ESPN's Tim MacMahon predict another savvy move to be made by general manager Nico Harrison. The potential beneficiary is another impactful member to the Mavericks' two-way versatility and locker room culture: P.J. Washington.

Washington, a passionate role player who is best remembered for rising to the occasion with multiple standout performances in the 2023-24 playoff run, is set to have his contract expire at the end of this upcoming season.

"I anticipate PJ will sign an extension next month," MacMahon said, via DLLS Mavs. "And I think that it's probably going to be at a number that he'll be very tradable on."

The word "tradeable" could be alarming to fans, but Dallas made it clear that it intends to keep Gafford and Washington as part of this experienced young core, despite any trade rumors that had circulated at the end of the regular season.

Nonetheless, this predicts that Washington's new deal could be at another affordable price for what he brings to the organization.

The Frisco product has excellent "3 and D" capabilities, already showcasing his standstill shot-making from deep and relentless mentality defending multiple positions in last year's playoffs.

That attitude was fed off of by the rest of the team during that run, and even though Dallas has transitioned into a new era following the Luka Doncic trade, Washington will remain the heartbeat of the group as the emotional leader with experience on the biggest stage.

A strong brotherhood culture led by Washington was also seen court side for Thursday's NBA Summer League opener as the Mavs forward was joined by teammates to support Dallas' No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg and the other rookies during their win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

This contract will lock up Washington alongside Irving, Gafford, Flagg, Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson and Dereck Lively II for multiple seasons, including this upcoming one. That group is fully capable of making noise in the Western Conference when they are all fully healthy and playing well. With some added time to familiarize themselves with one another on the court, Dallas' winning window opens wide for as long as this core is under contract.

Mavs fans wouldn't want to see the franchise part ways with Washington so soon after his iconic playoff heroics, but if MacMahon's rumors come true, the fact that a possible extension could be escapable is important. A number of teams would be in line calling about Washington, who is just 26 years old. That means Dallas would be able to get a solid return in a trade if push came to shove, but all indications so far say P.J. is looked at as valued member of this group, on and off the floor.

Last season, Washington averaged 14.7 points and 7.8 rebounds on 45 percent shooting and 38 percent from three-point range in a career-high 32 minutes per game.

He will have a cap hit of $14.1 million, with any upcoming extension kicking in after the 2025-26 season.