Mavs Free Agency: Does P.J. Washington Fit Dallas' Plans After Grant Williams Trade?
The Dallas Mavericks succeeded in re-signing Kyrie Irving and reuniting with Seth Curry, but the gaping hole on the wing and at the center position still remained heading into Wednesday ... but that changed in the wing department as Dallas traded for Boston Celtics 3-and-D forward Grant Williams.
In the Mavs' search for an upgrade, the free agency market had been sparse, and their luck in negotiating a trade had yet to come to fruition until the Williams deal popped up. Could this mean the full focus could now shift toward finding a starting center, or will the Mavs continue to search for more depth on the wing? We wouldn't count on Dallas viewing the wing-depth issue as being completely addressed yet.
With the RFA offer-sheet period opening up on Thursday morning, the Mavericks plan to sign Trail Blazers' Matisse Thybulle to a three-year, $33 million offer sheet. If that plan fails for some reason, though, should Dallas try to find a way to pursue Charlotte Hornets versatile forward P.J. Washington?
Washington, whose name has remained relatively quiet on the free-agency market, could make a sizeable impact for most teams across the league. In 73 games last season, Washington averaged a career-high 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting just under 35 percent from 3-point range on six attempts in 33 minutes per game.
Now, the likelihood that Charlotte matches any offer sheet for Washington is very high, but a sign-and-trade could be an option here for the Mavericks, who can't offer more than the $12.4 Mid-Level Exception for the restricted free agent with the Hornets welcoming Miles Bridges back into the fold and drafting Brandon Miller with the No. 2 pick.
If acquired, what Washington would provide the Mavericks is a quality starter at the forward position who can score at all three levels along with the capacity to defend multiple positions on the opposite end of the floor with an underrated shot-blocking ability.
At just 24-years old, Washington's age and skillset fits the timeline alongside Luka Doncic and in a future frontcourt paired with No. 12 pick Dereck Lively II, would be a perfect fit going forward. Lively's rim protection and rebounding on defense and his lob-threat ability on offense would give Washington the ability to step out onto the perimeter on both ends of the floor, creating room for the likes of Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Again, the chances that Washington lands with his hometown team in Dallas seems slim, and pretty much nonexistent if the Thybulle plan goes through, but you can't necessarily rule it out just yet. If the Mavs can throw together an enticing enough trade offer, Dallas may just be able to acquire another new starter in Washington.
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