The Dallas Mavericks lucked out when they landed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, selecting Duke standout Cooper Flagg.
After adding Flagg and trading Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis last season, the team now boasts solid frontcourt depth. While the Mavericks appear to have a win-now mindset, they may consider flipping one of their frontcourt pieces for future assets.
MORE: Blockbuster trade proposal sees LeBron James landing in Dallas
Zach Roberts of SI.com recently compiled a mock trade that would reunite P.J. Washington with the Charlotte Hornets, who traded the forward to Dallas in February 2024.
Here’s Roberts’ proposed trade:
Mavericks receive: Pat Connaughton, 2031 first-round pick, 2031 second-round pick
Hornets receive: P.J. Washington, 2030 second-round pick
Washington has been a mainstay in Dallas’ starting lineup since arriving there, but on a fully healthy Mavericks squad featuring Flagg, Davis, Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him slide to the second unit.
While the 26-year-old forward is a better player than Connaughton, Washington is also on an expiring contract. If Dallas decides against extending him this summer, trading him for future assets could be a logical move.
The Kentucky product has been a reliable three-and-D contributor for the Mavericks and was part of their 2024 NBA Finals run with Doncic. Washington appeared in 57 regular-season games during the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks while shooting 38.1 percent from beyond the arc across 32.2 minutes per game.
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