The former Mavericks starters from the team's latest NBA Finals run have expressed interest in a reunion.
Luka Doncic made a lot of friends during his over seven years with the Dallas Mavericks ... except, of course, Nico Harrison.
But among them is P.J. Washington, the DFW native whom the Mavs acquired midway through the 2023-24 season. Washington's 3-point shooting and tenacious perimeter defense helped spark a Dallas run to the franchise's third ever NBA Finals.
So, it's no surprise to hear from reporter Sean Deveney that Doncic is interested in reuniting with Washington. That could be especially true as Luka's Los Angeles Lakers are under the microscope, being closely judged by how they field a team around the Slovenian star now that LeBron James is playing elsewhere.
Doncic has two guaranteed seasons in the purple and gold remaining on his current contract. The Lakers, like many teams this offseason, have shown a willingness to make a trade for Washington.
But here's where things get complicated. Washington has even longer to go on his contract, with his four-year, $88.7 million extension kicking in this season at a $20 million annual salary.
Not only will this be a tall hurdle for LA financially, but it's also raised by the fact that the Lakers spent nearly all of their valuable trade assets in a deal with the Utah Jazz to acquire rim-running center Walker Kessler, making a legitimate package very difficult to build.
The Kessler move fits into the Lakers' formula of trying to copy the roster construction that Doncic thrived in during that 2024 run. Kessler's embodies the role of Mavs center Dereck Lively II, who was an explosive rookie on both ends and was Doncic's favorite lob threat two seasons ago.
Amid trade rumors, the Mavericks have shown signs of belief in Washington, even after a down year this past season. Dallas forked over a first-round pick to acquire him, and it appears that is where his price starts in any trade discussions from here until closer to the trade deadline.
Hopeful Mavs fans are buzzing about a Doncic-Washington reunion ... but they're targeting the summer of 2028 for when it could happen.
Doncic will be a free agent as his contract expires with the Lakers, and Washington will be approaching the final year of his deal with the Mavs.
Yes, it's far-fetched and rooted in nostalgia, heartbreak, and delusion. But the idea has not yet been proven impossible.
That's good enough to keep Mavs fans eyeing Luka (if they aren't already).
And maybe Washington responds to Doncic with his own interest in getting the band back together where they once played together before.
