​PJ Washington remains one of the most compelling trade options for the Lakers due to his existing familiarity with Luka Dončić, even though his long-term contract could complicate any pursuit. The Los Angeles Times reported that Washington might be a natural fit alongside Dončić, and if the Lakers were to pivot toward him, it would come with a caveat rooted in Dallas’s willingness to trade him at the right price. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have shown little urgency to move Washington, suggesting they would rather reconfigure other veteran pieces before parting with the versatile forward.
During Bleacher Report’s NBA Summer League livestream on Friday, NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer addressed a viewer question about Washington and explained that Dallas is open to listening to offers, but their preference appears to be to move other veterans first. Stein noted that in an ideal world for the Mavericks, they would swap one of two players—Daniel Gafford or Klay Thompson—before considering Washington. That distinction could matter greatly for the Lakers as they continue their search for a starting-caliber forward after spending much of the offseason pursuing Jonathan Kuminga.
Stein emphasized that Washington is not off-limits, and Dallas will continue to entertain inquiries involving the veteran forward, even if moving him isn’t their preferred outcome. “If you want to discuss a Daniel Gafford trade or a Klay Thompson trade,” Stein said, “and in mid-June, I was told with P.J. Washington as well, I have to believe they will field all that interest.” The only Mavericks player Stein singled out as unavailable is Kyrie Irving, noting that Dallas has repeatedly told rival teams he is not on the market. Aside from 2025 No. 1 overall pick and Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, Irving is the only player Stein said Dallas has explicitly refused to discuss. That leaves Washington in a different category, with Dallas appearing willing to entertain calls even if moving him isn’t the organization’s preferred outcome.
As Washington’s name continues to surface in discussions about potential fits for the Lakers, the framing remains that his relationship with Dončić could amplify his value as a complementary piece. The two established a strong on-court rapport after Washington arrived from the Charlotte Hornets at the 2024 trade deadline, quickly becoming one of Dončić’s most trusted frontcourt partners. This association helped Dallas reach the 2024 NBA Finals before falling to the Boston Celtics in five games. Washington’s production alongside Dončić highlighted the potential synergy that could benefit the Lakers if a deal materializes, though questions about contract terms and long-term fit persist.
Fischer added a key observation, underscoring that Luka Dončić already has strong, favorable opinions of Washington. “We do know that Luka likes P.J. Washington,” Fischer said. Stein then noted, “The best P.J. Washington has ever played was at Luka’s side.” Those comments carry significance given the pair’s shared history, underscoring why Washington remains an intriguing option for teams seeking to pair a ball-dominant star with a versatile big man who knows how to operate in a high-usage offense.
From a broader perspective, Washington’s profile sits at an intersection of upside and cost. He brings size, positional flexibility, and a history of effective production alongside Dončić, which could translate well to a Lakers roster looking for a reliable wing-forward who can defend multiple positions and contribute offensively in a secondary playmaking role. The challenge, of course, is that Washington’s contract—long-term and potentially onerous for a team prioritizing flexibility—could complicate any pursuit, especially for a Lakers club that must weigh future salary-cap implications and the ability to build around Dončić.
In evaluating potential matchups, teams and analysts will continue to weigh Washington’s fit against other available forwards and the Mavericks’ broader strategic aims. If Dallas remains steadfast in prioritizing other veterans, Washington could remain in limbo, potentially drawing interest from teams like the Lakers that are eager to maximize Dončić’s prime years with complementary talent. The Lakers’ interest, combined with Washington’s demonstrated chemistry with Dončić, keeps this scenario at the forefront of offseason chatter, even as contract considerations and Dallas’s own valuation introduce a measure of uncertainty. As the summer evolves, Washington’s availability—and the Lakers’ level of urgency—will likely hinge on how Dallas values additional pieces and how willing the Lakers are to meet the Mavericks’ asking price.