​If the Los Angeles Lakers miss out on signing forward Jonathan Kuminga through a sign-and-trade with the Atlanta Hawks, fans would likely turn their attention to P.J. Washington of the Dallas Mavericks as a potential target. Washington stands 6-foot-7 and plays the power forward position, having shared the court with Luka Dončić in Dallas. He’s widely viewed as a two-way contributor with solid athleticism, capable of defending multiple positions and offering some weak-side shot-blocking presence.
Following the Lakers’ recent moves, including the acquisition of Walker Kessler and the signings of Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Collin Sexton, as well as giving Austin Reaves a four-year, $185 million contract, the team may need to pursue a sign-and-trade to add a player of consequence. NBA insider Chris Haynes has suggested that the Mavericks could be open to moving Washington, noting that Dallas may have something up its sleeve and that Masai Ujiri remains active in pursuing opportunities yet prudent about not making changes for the sake of change. Haynes emphasized that while the Mavericks are always “open for business,” he does not anticipate a dormant offseason for Dallas.
In a California Post piece, Khobi Price pointed out that the Lakers are wary of Washington’s four-year contract commitment, even though the total money owed over those years isn’t excessive. During a Bleacher Report livestream, Jake Fischer and Marc Stein discussed whether Washington could fit with the Lakers. Fischer noted that Washington would be a natural consideration because of his prior stint with Dončić on Dallas’ run to the 2024 Finals, but highlighted the challenge of Washington’s looming big-money commitments. He remarked that the Lakers have already spent substantially this summer and suggested that reuniting with Dončić might not be the Lakers’ current plan. Still, Fischer acknowledged the enduring question of whether the “best P.J. Washington”—the version seen while playing alongside Dončić—could be recaptured if a reunion were possible in Los Angeles.
Stein echoed the sentiment, suggesting that it’s reasonable to wonder whether a renewed connection between Washington and Dončić could reemerge in a Lakers context. Washington’s performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the referenced 2024 series was notable, though his three-point shooting declined to 32.5% this past season after posting 38.1% in the 2024-25 season. Washington has career averages around 13.3 points and six rebounds per game, with his rebounding trend relatively solid over the past couple of years. He’s generally regarded as a capable defender who can switch across wings and big forwards, with the potential for some weak-side shot-blocking presence.
Washington entered the NBA as the No. 12 overall pick in the 2019 draft by the Charlotte Hornets, a fact that underscores the potential for shared history with Dončić within a Dallas system and the broader implications for a possible reunion in Los Angeles. Washington’s fit would hinge on package structure, contract considerations, and how the Lakers value his versatility and defensive impact relative to other marquee targets. As the league approaches the stretch of a busy offseason, conversations about sign-and-trade plausibility, asset exchange, and positional needs will continue to shape whether P.J. Washington emerges as a realistic Lakers option or remains a compelling name tied to the Mavericks.