PJ Washington has reaffirmed his commitment to the Dallas Mavericks despite persistent trade rumors surrounding the versatile forward. The speculation comes as the Mavericks handle a challenging period, with their last result being a 149-128 win over the Chicago Bulls on April 13, 2026, which snapped a four-game losing streak.
Washington is entering the first season of a four-year contract extension worth roughly $80 million. NBA insider Marc Stein has reported that the Mavericks could be open to listening to trade offers for the 28-year-old as the season progresses. This is due in part to a crowded forward rotation that now includes rookie Cooper Flagg and newly acquired Jamie Marshall.
First-year head coach Dusty May has not yet decided if Washington will start or come off the bench. His role is being evaluated alongside the team's other frontcourt options. Washington appeared in 56 games last season, starting 53, and averaged 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per contest. He also contributed 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steal per game.
The primary driver of the trade talk is roster congestion. The Mavericks have a logjam of forwards behind Flagg and Marshall. Washington's name surfaced in rumors last year for the same reason. His shooting efficiency also faced challenges, with rates of 45.0% from the field, 32.5% from three-point range, and 68.7% from the free-throw line.
Despite this, Washington provided steady production and took on a significant leadership role. He was instrumental in mentoring young players, including Flagg, during his rookie adjustment to the NBA. His on-court value remains high even with the fluctuating lineup.
Washington has expressed strong confidence that he will remain with the Mavericks. He has held detailed conversations with president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz about his place with the franchise.
"I've had long talks with Masai, our GM Mike, and the whole team. So I'm super confident I'll be a Maverick," Washington said. "This is where I want to be, so I'm super excited to be here and can't wait to get things going." He added that Dallas is where his heart has always been and that he loves the organization, his teammates, and the coaching staff.
The Mavericks' recent performance adds another layer of context. Before their high-scoring win over Chicago, the team was in a tough slump. Their recent form over the last five games is 1 win and 4 losses (WLLLL). Those losses included a 112-107 defeat to the Phoenix Suns on April 9, 2026, and a 123-99 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on April 1, 2026.
This inconsistent stretch highlights the team's need to find the right lineup combinations. Washington's experience and playoff pedigree from the 2024 NBA Finals run could be vital for a team looking to stabilize.
For now, Washington appears set to be on the opening-night roster when the Mavericks begin the 2026-2027 regular season on the road against the Houston Rockets on October 21, 2026. The coming weeks will reveal if the front office sees a trade as a necessary step to rebalance the squad or if they value Washington's continuity as they work to improve their record.
