DALLAS —P.J. Washington is “super confident” he will be on the Dallas Mavericks roster when the 2026-27 season opens. He credited long conversations with team president Masai Ujiri and the rest of the front office.
Washington spoke with Kevin Gray Jr. of DLLS Sports after finishing his second youth camp.
Dallas Mavericks Added Forwards Through The Draft And Trades
In June the Mavericks drafted Morez Johnson Jr. ninth overall. A six-team trade in July brought another forward to Dallas. On July 19 the Mavericks acquired Zaccharie Risacher in a three-team deal.
Dallas now carries Washington, Cooper Flagg, Risacher, and Johnson at forward.
“When it comes to that, I don’t really try to pay attention to it,” Washington said. “I know being a good player in this league, a lot of teams want you, but I think I’m where I want to be, obviously, in Dallas. I love this organization. I love my teammates, coaches, staff. So I think everybody’s on the right page with that. I’m just super excited to get in there and finally get to work.”
Risacher joined Kyrie Irving and Flagg as the third former No. 1 overall pick on the roster.
P.J. Washington Is Signed Through 2029-30
Washington agreed to a four-year extension in September 2025 worth $88.8 million, fully guaranteed, averaging $22.2 million per season. He makes $19.8 million this year and $21.4 million next year. The salary reaches $23.0 million in 2028-29 before topping out at $24.6 million in the final season. Signing the deal also made him ineligible to be traded for the whole of last season.
He can be moved now.
“Super confident,” Washington said. “I’ve had long talks with Masai, our GM, and the whole team. So I’m super confident I’ll be a Maverick. This is where I want to be. So I’m super excited to be here and can’t wait to get things going.”
Washington turns 28 on Aug. 23. Charlotte took him 12th overall in 2019, and he spent four and a half seasons with the Hornets before Dallas acquired him at the February 2024 trade deadline.
P.J. Washington Enters Eighth NBA Season
That first spring in Dallas, Washington started all 22 games of the Mavericks’ run to the NBA Finals. He averaged 13.0 points and 6.6 rebounds in 35.7 minutes across the postseason, shooting 34.8% from 3-point range.
Last season brought 56 games and 53 starts. Washington averaged 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 31.0 minutes. He made 45.0% of his shots overall and 32.5% of his 3-pointers.
Across 446 career games, his averages sit at 13.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.
Dallas finished 26-56 and 12th in the Western Conference. The Mavericks have not made the playoffs since 2024.
Camp opens Sept. 22. Dallas is one of six teams starting early because of preseason games outside North America.
The Mavericks and Houston Rockets meet twice at The Venetian Arena in Macao on Oct. 9 and Oct. 11, as part of the NBA China Games 2026. Dallas opens the regular season at Houston on Oct. 21. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. CT.
