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Kevin Gray of DLLS Sports: When you look at this season, what's your expectation for your game? Obviously, there's a your name is a lot when it comes to trade speculation. How have you handled that amongst the amount of conversation that's have been around you when it comes to trade? PJ Washington: When it comes to that, I don't really try to pay attention to it. I know being a good player in this league, a lot of teams want you, but I think I'm where I want to be, obviously, in Dallas. I love this organization. I love my teammates, coaching staff. So, I think everybody's on the right page with that. I'm just super excited to get in there and finally get to work.
Kevin Gray of DLLS Sports: How confident are you that you're going to be with this roster by the time we get to opening night this year? PJ Washington: Super confident. I've had long talks with Masai, our GM, and the whole team, so I'm super confident I'll be a Maverick. This is where I want to be, so I'm super excited to be here and can't wait to get things going.
Kevin Gray of DLLS Sports: Have you had a chance to talk with Masai Ujiri and discuss what your plan and your role is going to be with this team this year? PJ Washington: Yeah, definitely. Masai's a great guy. I think he's amazing to be here. He's done amazing things for the organization already, so I spoke to him and my role is going to be a leader. Obviously, going out each and every night. Just being myself, being aggressive both ends of the floor, and trying to lead as much as I can this year using my voice and just be the best vet I can for the young guys.
The Lakers’ interest in PJ Washington of the Mavericks is a good example. LA has a need for Washington, who was a teammate of Luka Doncic during the Mavericks’ 2024 run to the NBA Finals. And Doncic, we’re told, would be in favor of a Washington reunion. But Washington signed a four-year, $89 million extension last September, which starts with a $20 million cap hit for this season.
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But the extension is just as big an issue for the Lakers, says one Western Conference executive: “They don’t want that contract. The Mavericks bought a little high on him (in 2025) and he wasn’t as good last year. And you’re committing to paying him $22 million, $24 million down the road.”
Mike Vorkunov: Dillon Brooks will get about 13.98% of the cap in Year 1 on his extension if current 27-28 salary cap projection holds and he's got a flat AAV. That's a little more than Josh Hart got on his extension, two ticks up on PJ Washington, less than Brooks got on his Rockets deal.
APHoops: The Los Angeles Lakers have NOT been in pursuit of PJ Washington, per @JakeLFischer. (via @BleacherReport)
NBA Stat: Worst clutch 3PT% in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season (min. 15 clutch 3PA): 1. Cade Cunningham — 6.7% 2. Paolo Banchero — 10.5% 3. PJ Washington — 11.1% 4. Michael Porter Jr. — 16.0% 5. Russell Westbrook — 18.8% (via Clutch Numbers) #NBA
Jake Fischer: I know Lakers fans want to keep drawing the line to a trade with Dallas for either PJ Washington or Daniel Gafford because of their success with Luka Doncic. I really don't have any inclination that the Lakers had trade talks with either of those guys of real consequence this offseason. (…) They still do have interest in Jonathan Kuminga.’
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Marc Stein: I reported this on June 14th. Teams calling for Kyrie Irving are being told Kyrie's not available, but Gafford, Klay, and PJ are regarded as the most available of the Mavs vets. It's been more than a month. We've since established that Gafford and Klay are... That's where that list should start. But that doesn't guarantee a trade. Maybe a trade will materialize, but just because the Mavs have shown a willingness on Gafford and Klay especially to listen to offers, it doesn't guarantee a move.
The Lakers have long been tied to trade rumors with Mavericks forward PJ Washington, a former teammate of Doncic’s in Dallas, but the fully guaranteed $88.8 million Washigton’s owed over the next four years isn’t appealing to the Lakers.
The Mavericks have upgraded PJ Washington (illness) to available for Sunday’s game against LA Lakers. Tyler Smith (low back spasms) is listed as questionable, and Marvin Bagley (left shoulder impingement) is probable.
