As the Golden State Warriors approach a pivotal offseason in 2025, trade rumors are heating up, with young stars Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, and Brandin Podziemski at the center of speculation. On May 29, 2025, Forbes’ Evan Sidery dropped a bombshell, suggesting the Warriors could target the Dallas Mavericks’ $46 million forward PJ Washington in a potential swap for Moody and draft picks. With Stephen Curry, the four-time NBA champion, pushing for competitiveness in his 17th season, General Manager Mike Dunleavy faces pressure to bolster the roster. Could Washington’s playoff experience and two-way versatility be the key to extending the Warriors’ dynasty? Let’s dive into this blockbuster trade rumor, analyze Washington’s fit alongside Curry, and explore what it means for both teams’ futures.
The Warriors’ 2024-25 season ended in disappointment, finishing 46-36 and losing in the Western Conference semifinals to the Denver Nuggets, per ESPN. Despite Curry’s 26.4 PPG on 41.2% three-point shooting, the team’s reliance on youth exposed depth issues, with a 12th-ranked offensive rating (114.8 points per 100 possessions), per NBA.com. Kuminga (16.1 PPG) and Podziemski (9.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG) showed promise, but Moody struggled for consistency, averaging 8.1 PPG in 18.2 MPG, per Basketball-Reference. With Curry’s $55.8 million contract entering its final year in 2025-26, per Spotrac, and the Warriors’ $178.7 million payroll nearing the second apron, Dunleavy is exploring trades to maximize Curry’s championship window. Enter PJ Washington, a 26-year-old wing whose playoff pedigree and contract status make him an intriguing target, per @TheDunkCentral.
PJ Washington: The Ideal Curry Complement?
PJ Washington, acquired by Dallas midseason in 2024, proved his worth in the 2024 NBA Finals run, averaging 14.7 PPG and 7.8 RPG on 38.1% three-point shooting in 57 games during the 2024-25 season, per Forbes. At 6’7” with a 7’2” wingspan, his athleticism and catch-and-shoot ability (1.2 points per catch-and-shoot possession, per Synergy Sports) align with Steve Kerr’s motion offense, per ESPN. Washington’s defensive versatility—capable of guarding wings and small-ball fives—addresses the Warriors’ 15th-ranked defensive rating (113.2 points allowed per 100 possessions), per Yahoo Sports. His $15.5 million salary for 2025-26, the final year of a three-year, $46 million deal, makes him a cost-effective addition, per Spotrac. Evan Sidery’s X post suggests Dallas may trade Washington due to the arrival of No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, whose $12.9 million rookie deal could shift their rotation, per @NBADraftBuzz.
Moses Moody: The Trade Cost
Moses Moody, the 14th overall pick in 2021, has shown two-way potential but remains on the roster’s fringe, averaging 8.1 PPG and 3.0 RPG on 36.0% three-point shooting in 2024-25, per Basketball-Reference. At 23, his 6’5” frame and defensive hustle (0.9 SPG) make him a valuable asset, but his inconsistent role behind Klay Thompson’s departure and Kuminga’s rise limits his minutes, per Bleacher Report. A proposed trade package—Moody plus second-round picks (e.g., 2026, 2028)—could entice Dallas, whose $172.3 million payroll faces luxury tax pressure, per Spotrac. Moody’s $5.8 million expiring contract aligns with salary-matching rules, per ESPN. While losing Moody stings, Washington’s proven playoff production (13.6 PPG in 2024 Finals) offers immediate impact, per @WarriorsMuse. X posts from @GSWReport note fan concerns about trading youth, with some arguing Moody’s upside outweighs a one-year rental.
Strategic Fit for the Warriors
Washington’s addition would enhance the Warriors’ small-ball lineups, pairing with Draymond Green (6.7 APG, 1.0 BPG) and Curry to create a versatile, high-octane unit, per SI.com. His 38.1% three-point shooting complements Curry’s gravity, opening driving lanes, while his rebounding (7.8 RPG) bolsters Golden State’s 20th-ranked rebounding (42.8 RPG), per NBA.com. Kerr’s system, which generated 29.3 APG (3rd in NBA), thrives on players like Washington, who excel in spot-up roles (41.2% on spot-up threes), per Synergy Sports. However, risks include Washington’s pending free agency in 2026, potentially making him a rental, and his inconsistent midrange game (38.4% from 10-16 feet), per Bleacher Report. @HoopsHype on X suggests Washington’s extension eligibility in August 2025 could complicate negotiations, with contenders like the Lakers also eyeing him.
Dallas Mavericks’ Perspective
For Dallas, trading Washington could fund a rotational upgrade to support Luka Dončić (33.9 PPG, 9.2 APG) and Flagg, the projected 2025 top pick with elite defensive upside, per Yahoo Sports. Moody, a Dallas native, offers youth and cost control, with a qualifying offer in 2026, per Spotrac. Second-round picks add flexibility for a Mavs team with limited draft capital post-Kyrie Irving trade, per ESPN. However, losing Washington’s playoff experience (17 starts in 2024 Finals) weakens their frontcourt, especially with Daniel Gafford’s inconsistent offense (9.0 PPG), per Bleacher Report. @MavsInsider on X debates if Moody’s potential matches Washington’s proven production, with fans split on prioritizing Flagg’s development.
Broader Implications and Risks
The trade aligns with Golden State’s win-now mentality, leveraging Curry’s prime (10th in MVP voting, 2024-25), per NBA.com. Washington’s two-way play could elevate the Warriors past Western rivals like Denver and Oklahoma City, per SI.com. However, trading Moody risks depleting youth, especially if Kuminga or Podziemski are later moved, per Yahoo Sports. Dallas gains long-term assets but may struggle to replace Washington’s versatility, per @NBAAnalysisX. Financially, the Warriors’ $178.7 million payroll allows the trade without apron penalties, but a Washington extension could push them over $190 million, per Spotrac. Fan sentiment on X is polarized, with @DubNationHQ excited for Washington’s fit, while @MoodyFanClub laments losing a homegrown talent.
The rumored trade of Moses Moody for PJ Washington could be a game-changer for the Golden State Warriors, uniting Stephen Curry with a proven playoff forward to chase another title. Washington’s shooting and defense fit Kerr’s system, but the cost of losing Moody and the uncertainty of a rental player raise stakes. For Dallas, the deal fuels a youth movement around Cooper Flagg, but at the expense of a key contributor. Will the Warriors pull the trigger on this bold swap, or will Dallas hold firm?