Photo Credit: AP
Nearly 7 months ago, fans of the Dallas Mavericks thought that their team was in freefall. Luka Magic Dončić was gone and Anthony Davis and Max Christie were in his place, but there was a lack of chemistry that caused fans to wonder if the trade was merely a gamble by Mavs executives. However, as the dust begins to settle, the Mavericks have begun to make calls that prove fans and viewers at home wrong. P.J. Washington’s four-year, $90 million extension, a move that signals their familiar strength, ball knowledge, and vision for a new all-star lineup that will attempt to replace the Luka Magic team chemistry.
P.J. Washington, known for his versatility, has proven to Dallas that he will be a valuable player alongside their current roster. For starters, Washington can defend multiple positions and has excellent rebound timing. For a team that was immediately defined during last season by its cinematic Anthony Davis trade and the departure of their MVP Luka, they knew that it wasn’t just about keeping a player on their roster, but rather showing the NBA that they are better than ever by building on the choreography that they have so that they can build on new talents.
What does this mean for the Mavericks?
Dallas has quietly padded their roster into the strongest group of versatile big players in the NBA. They already have Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford (who himself signed an extension), Dereck Lively II, and rising rookie Cooper Flagg, who was the overall first pick for the 2025 NBA Draft, all battling for minutes and action on the court. However, PJ provides something that these players don’t: flexibility and consistency.
Last season, PJ Washington averaged around 15 points, 8 rebounds, and he added defensive punch with about a steal and block per game. In the Mavs’ Finals run, he proved himself as more than a role player on the team, becoming a difference-maker in some games. His ability to guard multiple positions and knock down timely shots makes him the glue for the big new Dallas Mavericks.
However, the approach with the current Mavs roster shows fans a new perspective. The Mavs will be playing with a balanced team. We all know the legacy of Luka’s ball-dominant playmaking and how his teammates played to his strength, but the Mavericks no longer revolve around a single superstar. Instead, they have shifted to a team with multiple star players who will all complement each other and make the Mavs a unit. Washington’s extension to the Mavs is the clearest sign yet that Dallas wants to keep building, and that more key pieces will come until they are a full unit.
The contract and the cap
On paper, $90 million over four years is no small investment. But for Dallas, PJ Washington’s extension falls right into the range of $18–30 million per year, which will be capped off and become cheaper over the contract period as caps rise. Contracts like Washington’s are big enough to make a difference in trades and small enough to avoid clogging cap space. This is a great move by the Mavs, as it means Washington can be both a core piece in the roster of the team, but if they need to, they can swap him for a golden ticket to a legendary roster.
However, due to NBA rules, Washington cannot be traded during the 2025–26 season. PJ is locked into Dallas for at least a year, which gives him time to thrive and find his place on the team, while taking him off the trade block that cycles mid-tier players and prevents them from getting their time to shine.
Risks and challenges
Of course, the Mavs aren’t in the spotlight yet. They now have a problem of cycling their well-rounded team and making sure Davis, Gafford, Lively, and Flagg and Washington are balanced properly. Furthermore, Washington has the new burden of not disappointing fans. This is mainly because PJ is being paid more than an average role player, which means expectations of his skill rise. Fans won’t just accept occasional flashes of brilliance; it’s more likely that they’ll demand consistency and memorable plays from him. The financial commitment to pay such a large extension also puts Dallas’ front office in the hot seat if things go south. If Washington does not have solid chemistry with his new team or get enough playing time, the contract could become more of a burden than an asset.
So, what now for the Mavericks?
The Mavericks may not have Luka Magic anymore, but with Davis anchoring the paint, Washington locked in for the team’s long-term, and strong roster of anticipated picks, Dallas could make a comeback from their tragic loss, and prove the league wrong.
Some fans still question whether this version of the Mavericks can rise to a true championship without a singular superstar leading the way. However, with their strategic planning and gamble on new talent, I think that if the Mavs play their cards right that the franchise will not fold but rather they will reshape into a new era in Dallas.
However, one thing is for certain: Dallas’s future won’t look like its past. It’s up to them to turn it around and play their cards right.