P.J. Washington has spent the opening stretch of the 2026-27 season pushing the Cooper Flagg fit questions further and further into the background.
A lot of Dallas Mavericks fans and analysts wondered if Washington could really mesh with Flagg, especially after Washington’s rough year from outside last season and the fact that the two players overlap in some of the same areas on the floor. Through five games, though, that concern has started to look overstated.
The 3-point numbers have hardly moved. Washington shot 32.5 percent from deep last season and is at 32.3 percent from downtown so far this year.
But the bigger point is that his game around that shooting has still worked well in Dallas’ offense. He’s been stepping into open looks with more confidence, even if they aren’t all falling, and he’s getting back to what he does best by finishing around the basket.
Washington has been strong in post-up and sealing situations, and he’s been bringing real force on the boards at both ends. He’s also been efficient with floaters in the in-between game. More importantly for Dallas, none of that has come at the expense of the offense’s rhythm.
There’s still a stretch ahead where Washington could easily shoot better from outside, but even before that happens, he’s already carved out a clear role. On the defensive end, he has stood out as Dallas’ best wing defender from a pure one-on-one standpoint. He did a strong job on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the Mavericks’ two most recent games.
Kyrie Irving’s return to the lineup has also helped ease the spacing worries that came with Washington and Flagg sharing the floor. At this point, it would be hard to argue against Washington being Dallas’ clear third-best player.
That kind of production has naturally quieted the trade talk. There are still 77 games left, so nothing is settled, but with Dallas sitting at 3-2 and looking like a team that wants to stay in the mix for a play-in or playoff spot, it appears more likely the Mavericks would be buyers than sellers by the trade deadline.
And with Dallas not owning its first-round pick next summer, there’s little reason to move Washington unless these first five games prove to be fool’s gold and the team is sitting well below .500 by the deadline.
Dusty May has also gone small with Washington at the five in a number of lineups next to Flagg, a look Dallas tried late last season. That setup has given the Mavericks some extra offensive punch against teams with slower or less mobile big men, and it has made Washington even more important to the way the roster functions.
That wrinkle may not stick for long, especially with Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama yet to even suit up for Dallas. Even so, Washington has been solid when used at his natural four spot, and he’s showing he can be a real piece of the offense alongside Flagg and Irving despite the early doubts.
In Other News...
Kyrie Irving Just Got The Kind Of Praise Mavericks Fans Love
Kyrie Irving picked up a little extra shine from an unexpected source this week, and Mavericks fans will probably appreciate the company. Golden State rookie Yaxel Lendeborg spoke highly of Irving, praising the Dallas guards skill and making clear how difficult he is to contain, a notable compliment for a player who is still working back into form after the torn ACL he suffered in March 2025.
Irvings numbers this season suggest he is finding his rhythm again, as he continues to steady Dallas with 18.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. The timing of Lendeborgs praise is interesting, too, with the Warriors and Mavericks slated to see each other on Nov. 18 and the rookie likely focused on a different Dallas threat in Cooper Flagg, the clubs leading scorer this season. [Read more 🡒]
Mavs Finally Near A Frontcourt Boost They Desperately Need
The Mavericks are finally getting a little closer to adding a frontcourt piece they have been waiting on all fall. Santi Aldama has been recalled from a rehab stint with the Texas Legends, a notable step for a player who had knee surgery last season and then sat out the preseason and Dallas first five regular-season games after arriving in a summer trade.
Aldama is now preparing for his first appearance in a Mavericks uniform, with his next possible chance coming Friday against the Houston Rockets. Even with that help trending in the right direction, Dallas is still sorting through its frontcourt depth, and Dereck Lively II remains sidelined after foot surgery, leaving the team with one more important question to answer before the rotation feels settled. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Could Catch A Break With Houston's Biggest Frontcourt Decision
Houstons frontcourt plans are suddenly worth watching as the Rockets prepare to face the Mavericks, with Alperen Sengun on the injury report ahead of Friday nights game. The young center has been one of Houstons most important pieces this season, giving them scoring, rebounding and playmaking from the middle while anchoring a matchup that matters for Dallas as much as it does for the Rockets.
Sengun also missed the previous game against Milwaukee for the same issue, leaving Houston to adjust without one of its most reliable interior options. If the Rockets have to go another night without him, the ripple effect would be felt in the rotation and in the way Dallas can approach the paint, where the Mavericks would be eager for any edge in a Western Conference test. [Read more 🡒]