The Dallas Mavericks and forward PJ Washington have agreed to a four-year, $90 million contract extension, league sources told ClutchPoints. He became eligible to receive this a four-year extension on August 29.
This new extension will begin next year, as Washington will earn $14.1 million during the 2025-26 season, the final year of his current deal. He is now under contract through the 2029-30 NBA season.
Washington, 27, was traded to the Mavericks during the 2023-24 season after spending the first four and a half years of his career with the Charlotte Hornets.
Dallas acquired him and two second-round picks from Charlotte for Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and a 2027 first-round pick, which is protected if the pick ends up being first or second overall.
Since joining the Mavs, Washington has been an essential part of the organization's success.
His contributions alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving helped elevate the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals, where they lost in five games to the Boston Celtics.
Last season, Washington averaged 14.7 points and a career-high 7.8 rebounds in 57 games, 56 of which he started. Washington also shot 45.3 percent from the floor and 38.1 percent from 3-point range.
Between his rebounding efficiency, three-level scoring, and defensive instincts, Washington has been a dependable player in any role with Dallas.
Even with the Mavericks moving in a different direction last season, trading Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Washington's role remains unchanged.
He remains a focal point in the Mavs' starting lineup, and Washington will remain one of the most underrated secondary players in the Western Conference now that he will be overlooked at times by opposing teams in favor of rookie first-overall pick Cooper Flagg.
Next to Flagg, Washington should see even more scoring opportunities, especially on the perimeter in catch-and-shoot scenarios.
Once Irving returns from his ACL injury, Washington becomes even more vital to the Mavericks as a secondary contributor and scorer who can bridge the gap between the stars and role players on the team.
Mavericks' future with PJ Washington
Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) smiles for the fans during the second half of the game against the Detroit Pistons at the American Airlines Center.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Article Continues Below
Dallas has been busy this offseason.
In addition to this $90 million contract extension with Washington, the Mavs gave Daniel Gafford a three-year, $60 million extension that keeps him under contract through the 2028-29 season. The team also signed Irving to a three-year, $118 million contract, as well as D'Angelo Russell to a two-year, $11.6 million deal.
Although he is not on the trade block and this deal with Washington confirms his status as a key part of Dallas' rotation, his future is very much up in the air.
The Mavericks giving Washington the full $90 million extension he was eligible for over the next four seasons ensures that he is still on a trade-friendly deal. The annual average value of this new contract is $22.5 million per season.
It is clear that GM Nico Harrison is willing to make big moves to compete for a championship right now, which is why he went out and got Davis instead of waiting for Doncic's time to run the league.
With Davis, Irving, and now Flagg as the focal points of the roster, the Mavericks will be aggressive in the trade market to better their chances of raising a second banner, especially with superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James linked to the organization.
While he is ineligible to be traded right now during the 2025-26 season, this extension sets Washington up to eventually be moved. Down the road, Washington's middle-tier contract won't hold the Mavs back from pulling off a big roster move, especially regarding the potential of a trade.
While the topic of conversation about Washington's future draws many to the idea of a trade, his skills immediately elevate the Mavericks into the championship equation right now.
Not to mention, a trade down the line involving Washington may be a means for the team to regain lost assets from previous deals, especially given the interest he's generated amongst teams wanting to upgrade their forward depth.
Washington has proven his value in Dallas over the last two seasons, and this extension is a reflection of his success.