Dallas is stacked within the frontcourt. All-Star Anthony Davis is the anchor and can begin on the 4, though he’ll play clutch time minutes at middle. Derrick Lilvely II doubtless begins at middle with Daniel Gafford behind him. Then there may be No. 1 decide Cooper Flagg, who finally goes to be an influence ahead within the NBA, probably finally taking part in extra of some extent ahead (with Vigorous and Davis beginning, Flagg doubtless begins this season on the three).
Then there may be P.J. Washington. Wherever he matches in off the bench, count on the Mavericks to increase the contract of the restricted free agent, one thing that would occur as quickly as Friday when he first turns into extension-eligible, experiences Marc Stein at The Stein Line.
League sources inform The Stein Line that an extension for Washington is probably going. Whereas he’s now not an computerized starter in Dallas after the Mavericks stunningly received the draft lottery in Could and the precise to pick out Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 total decide, Washington solely simply turned 27 himself on Saturday and has no scarcity of admirers in entrance workplaces across the league.
That extension will be for as much as 4 years, $90 million, though the Mavericks will need to get him in for below that quantity, perhaps one thing nearer to 3 years, $60 million.
Washington was traded to Dallas on the 2024 deadline and performed nicely off Luka Doncic, serving to the Mavericks on their 2024 Finals run. Washington averaged 14.7 factors and seven.8 rebounds a recreation final season when wholesome (he performed in simply 57 video games in Dallas). At 6’7″, he’s performed the 4 and an undersized 5, he’s turn into a steadier 3-point shooter (38.1% final season), however his protection means he may be greatest suited on a contending workforce off the bench. We are going to see how he fills that position in Dallas this season.
Stein hints at a doable Washington commerce, utilizing the workforce’s high quality frontcourt depth to offer extra rotation gamers on the wing and within the backcourt. If the Mavericks get Washington to conform to a good extension worth, loads of groups can be occupied with a doable commerce.
