The Golden State Warriors’ hopes of bolstering their frontcourt with a versatile, 3-and-D forward were dashed this week as the Dallas Mavericks locked up P.J. Washington with a four-year, $90 million contract extension, as first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal, which makes Washington ineligible for a trade before the February mid-season deadline, effectively ends speculation about the 27-year-old joining the Warriors or any other rival team.
Washington, a 6’7″ forward known for his defensive tenacity and reliable outside shooting, was seen as a potential trade target for Golden State, who are seeking to add size and shooting to complement stars Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Last season, Washington averaged 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.1 steals across 57 games, while shooting an impressive 38.1% from three-point range on over four attempts per game. His performance as a solidified starter for the Mavericks, including averaging over 35 minutes per game during their 2024 NBA Finals run, made him an attractive option for teams looking to add a two-way player.
The Mavericks’ frontcourt, already stacked with talents like No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, Caleb Martin, and Naji Marshall, had sparked questions about Washington’s role moving forward. With his previous $14.2 million contract set to expire, trade rumors swirled, with Golden State among the teams potentially interested. However, Dallas’ decision to secure Washington long-term signals their commitment to keeping him as a key piece of their championship-contending roster, despite potential overlap with Flagg’s emergence.
For the Warriors, this development forces a pivot in their roster-building strategy. The team is expected to pursue Al Horford in free agency to address their frontcourt needs, but they may still seek another versatile forward. Young wing Moses Moody, entering his fifth season, could be an internal option if he takes a significant step forward. Additionally, NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported last month that the Warriors have a “strong affinity” for New Orleans Pelicans’ sharpshooter Trey Murphy III. However, acquiring Murphy, a top-tier target, is considered a long shot due to his value and cost.
With Washington now off the trade market, the Warriors must explore other avenues to find the floor-spacing big man they covet. As the 2025-26 season approaches, Golden State’s front office will need to get creative to keep pace in a competitive Western Conference, where Dallas has solidified its roster with this stunning transaction.