NBA Free Agency: Mavs' Complicated Path to Signing Hornets' P.J. Washington

Although the Dallas Mavericks have reported interest in restricted free agents Grant Williams of the Boston Celtics and Matisse Thybulle of the Portland Trail Blazers, perhaps the most interesting one of all is Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington. Sure, Washington doesn't fix the Mavs' starting-center need, but the Dallas front office should be in the business of adding as much high-end talent as possible, regardless of position.

Like the Mavs, the Hornets have also had interest in Williams, but one would have to think Williams would want more than the $12.4 million MLE to sign an offer sheet with Charlotte. If the Hornets are fine with giving Williams more money, they could, in theory, create the extra cap space necessary by renouncing Washington and Kelly Oubre Jr.

That path seems unlikely, but if it did happen, the Mavs would have a much easier path to signing Washington as an unrestricted free agent. ... that is, unless he wants more than the MLE. If that's the case, the Mavs would have to hope the Hornets would be willing to work out a sign-and-trade and hope their asking price is lower than what the Celtics are asking for Williams.

Washington would be a seamless fit in Dallas next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as the starting power forward. The 24-year-old four-year man out of Kentucky played 73 games for the Hornets last season and averaged 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 34.8 from deep. He also had 79 blocks on the season as well. Just for context, Mavs big men Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber and JaVale McGee combined for 82 blocks last season.

Washington scored at least 20 points or more 22 times last season, including a 28-point performance in a 117-109 win over the Mavs on March 24. In 30 minutes as a starter, he shot 11-22 from the field and tallied six rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.

Whether the Mavs have much interest in Washington or not has yet to be revealed, but on paper, we can certainly see the fit. Getting him to Dallas would be complicated, but it might not be as difficult if Williams ends up signing with the Hornets. Dominoes should start to fall on Thursday when restricted free agency begins.

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