P.J. Washington enters the season confident he will remain in Dallas, with a healthy offseason, a new system and Kyrie Irving's return giving him a chance to rebound.
P.J. Washington's name has been attached to trade speculation throughout the offseason, with the Lakers and others floated as potential suitors. Washington, for his part, isn't buying any of it.
Asked by DLLS Sports' Kevin Gray Jr. how confident he is that he'll still be on the roster when opening night arrives, Washington didn't hesitate.
"Super confident," he said. "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."
That certainty stands in contrast to how quickly some observers wrote Washington off this summer.
The trade rumors weren't entirely baseless. Washington is entering the first year of a four-year, $88.8 million extension, and Dallas has a crowded frontcourt after a busy offseason. Newcomers Zaccharie Risacher and Santi Aldama, rookie Morez Johnson Jr. and holdover Naji Marshall all figure to compete for minutes.
That logjam is real, and it's why Washington's name kept surfacing. But being part of a deep rotation isn't the same as being expendable. Washington's confidence suggests the front office has communicated that he's part of the plan.
Washington's 2025-26 season was defined by injuries. He battled multiple ankle ailments throughout the year, limiting him to 56 games. Playing through those injuries took a clear toll, especially on his shooting. His three-point percentage dropped to 32.5% after he shot 38.1% the previous season.
Even so, Washington averaged 14.2 points and 7.0 rebounds while starting 53 of those 56 games. When healthy, he remained a productive two-way forward who can guard multiple positions and stretch the floor.
That's the version of Washington the Mavericks are counting on getting back.
Dusty May's arrival as head coach also gives Washington an opportunity to reset. May's system emphasizes versatile forwards and players who can contribute in multiple areas. Washington's positional flexibility fits that approach, and a more defined role could help him rediscover the form that made him valuable during Dallas' run to the 2024 NBA Finals.
Kyrie Irving's return should help, too. With Irving back alongside Cooper Flagg, Washington won't need to carry as much offensive responsibility. He can return to his natural role as a complementary two-way forward, taking cleaner shots and attacking opportunities created by Dallas' primary playmakers.
None of this guarantees Washington finishes the season in Dallas. The Mavericks could revisit the trade market as the year unfolds.
But heading into the season, Washington sounds confident about his place with the team. If he stays healthy and finds his shooting stroke, Dallas could have a much more productive version of the forward it committed $88.8 million to keep.
