P.J. Washington Still Looking for Contract; Mavs Sign & Trade Chances Rising?
Given that we're now more than a full month into NBA free agency, we have to ask... what in the world is going on with P.J. Washington and the Charlotte Hornets?
Washington was one of the best players on the restricted free-agency market heading into the offseason, but nearly one full week into August, the former No. 12 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft still doesn't have a new deal in place. The Hornets have reportedly been unwilling to give Washington the long-term contract he's seeking, and according to Rob Boone of the Charlotte Observer, there is a "stalemate" with the two sides in contract negotiations.
If the Hornets don't want to give Washington a long-term deal, they could be faced with two options, assuming Washington doesn't give in and sign a shorter contract: 1) risk their versatile forward taking the qualifying offer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer, or 2) work out a sign-and-trade with another team willing to give Washington a deal close to what he's looking for.
Back on July 10, NBA insider Marc Stein reported on his weekly radio show, "Saturday Sportsworld with Marc Stein," that the Dallas Mavericks hadn't pursued Washington at that point. He also stated that he thought a sign-and-trade of Washington to the Mavs was unrealistic. However, the longer this saga drags on, one has to think such a scenario becomes a little more realistic for Dallas ... that is, if there's a willingness to pay Washington.
In theory, the Mavs could send Tim Hardaway Jr. – a player they've been trying to trade all summer according to multiple reports – and a couple of second-round picks to the Hornets for Washington while also being able to give him the near-$20 million per year contract he's reportedly been seeking.
in 73 games for the Hornets last season, Washington averaged 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 blocks in 32.6 minutes per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from deep. Near $20 million annually for that kind of production is probably an overpay, but for the Mavericks, it would make more sense to pay that kind of money to a versatile 24-year-old with upside than it would to continue paying Hardaway around the same amount for the next two years.
Typically, teams sign-and-trading away restricted free agents don't get stellar return packages in such deals. The Hornets might want more in return for their cooperation in a Washington sign-and-trade, but as time rolls on, the risk of potentially losing him for nothing next summer increases. It might be time for Charlotte to take what it can get.
Mavs GM Nico Harrison has already executed one sign-and-trade for a key restricted free agent with a three-team deal for Grant Williams earlier this summer. Perhaps he can do the same with Washington to put a cherry on top of what has already been a solid offseason.
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