P.J. Washington isn’t spending training camp lobbying for a certain job.
If the Mavericks hand him the starting power forward spot, he’ll take it. If they don’t, he’s fine with that too.
That was the message after Thursday’s practice, as Dallas sorts through a lineup picture that still has plenty of moving parts in this new era under head coach Dusty May. The starting five won’t be known until October 21, and the competition at power forward has drawn real attention. Washington looks like the front-runner because of his experience with the Mavericks, including his role in their run to the NBA Finals, but Morez Johnson Jr., Naji Marshall and Santi Aldama are all in the mix.
Johnson and Aldama have been dealing with minor injuries as they work back, which should give Washington a clean runway to make his case.
When asked whether he still cares about starting as he enters Year 8, Washington made it clear the bigger picture matters more.
“My biggest thing is winning, whether I’m starting or not, I just want to win," Washington said to the media. "I’ve been on so many losing teams.
I’ve been to the playoffs one time in my career. I just want to turn that around and get to the playoffs and just win...
I can make an impact on the floor whenever I'm out there.”
Asked PJ Washington if he still cared about starting/coming off the bench as he enters Year 8:“My biggest thing is winning, whether I’m starting or not. I’ve been on so many losing teams. I’ve been to the playoffs one time in my career…I just want to turn that around & get to… pic.twitter.com/hmfQFTAXES
That outlook fits the path he’s taken. Washington spent the early part of his career on some rough Hornets teams, and he had only one season with more than 40 wins before Charlotte traded him to Dallas.
Once he arrived, he helped change the tone quickly. Washington became part of the Mavericks’ rise into a title contender and their surprising trip to the NBA Finals.
But the seasons since have gone the other way, with the team stuck back in the weeds. Dallas was supposed to be one of the league’s best in 2024-25, but bad trades and injuries stopped that from happening.
The Mavericks did land Cooper Flagg last year, though injuries were still a theme throughout the season. The hope now is that this group can finally get back on track.
Even with the uncertainty around the roster, it would still be a bit of a shock if Washington isn’t in the opening-night starting lineup. He brings the best combination of defensive switchability, three-point shooting and toughness, even if the fit alongside Cooper Flagg still raises questions.
Washington’s name has also come up in trade chatter for much of the offseason, but nothing meaningful has materialized. He’s now in the first season of the four-year, $88 million extension he signed, which probably made moving him more difficult.
And if the Mavericks need a boost on offense, Kyrie Irving’s return from injury should help Washington settle in there too. With Irving back, Washington won’t have to shoulder as much of the creation load himself.
In Other News...
Mavericks May Be Sitting On An Unexpected Luka Trade Asset
The Mavericks may have more leverage than they expected from the Luka Doncic deal, and it could come in the form of Max Christie. The guard landed in Dallas as part of the blockbuster with the Lakers, and his early work with the Mavericks has been enough to keep him in the conversation as a useful rotation piece rather than a throw-in from a larger swap.
Los Angeles is already in training camp for the 2026 season and still looking at ways to shore up its wing group, which is why Christie has surfaced as a name to watch. If the Lakers decide their current wing production is not enough, they could circle back before the Feb. 11 trade deadline, and Dallas would have to weigh whether its latest Luka-era asset is becoming too valuable to move. [Read more 🡒]
Former Mavericks Guard Just Landed A Real NBA Opportunity Elsewhere
Ryan Nembhard has found a real NBA foothold in Denver, where the Nuggets are looking for inexpensive ways to deepen a roster that already has established star power. The former Mavericks guard went undrafted, but his path has kept moving, and the Nuggets appear willing to bet on under-the-radar talent as they try to squeeze value out of limited salary cap space.
For Nembhard, the appeal goes beyond simply landing on an NBA roster. Denver has spent time identifying players who can fit into meaningful roles without costing much, and that gives him a chance to develop around proven veterans such as Jamal Murray while competing for minutes in a situation that could reward steady growth. [Read more 🡒]
Mavs Fans Have A Fair Concern About Morez Johnson Jr. Right Now
Morez Johnson Jr. has spent much of the early days of Mavericks training camp on a careful plan, with the No. 9 overall pick limited while the team eases him through lower leg soreness. Head coach Dusty May said Johnson is taking part in most live sessions, but Dallas is clearly watching the rookie closely after he also missed time at the end of Summer League with calf soreness.
For a team hoping to lean on its young talent sooner rather than later, that naturally raises some concern, even if the Mavericks are not treating it like a setback. P.J. Washington has already come away impressed by Johnsons strength and work ethic in practice, so the ability is there, but the bigger question now is how quickly Dallas can build him up without pushing too fast. [Read more 🡒]