Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Dallas Mavericks are acquiring center Daniel Gafford from the Washington Wizards and P.J. Washington from the Charlotte Hornets in two separate trades.
Dallas Mavericks Get P.J. Washington and Move On from Williams
The Dallas Mavericks are acquiring P.J. Washington while trading a lightly protected 2027 first-round draft pick, forward Grant Williams, and guard Seth Curry, who the Mavericks have now traded for the third time in his career, to the Charlotte Hornets. Grant Williams was a miss as the significant addition for the Dallas Mavericks in last summer’s free agency, signing a four-year, $53 million deal. The Mavericks are hoping Washington will replace Grant Williams’ role in the rotation and be an improved version of the part-time starter who averaged 8.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game for Dallas. Washington is owed $15.5 million next season and $14.2 million the following year, but at 25, his fit should be more seamless with Dallas.
I’m a huge fan of PJ Washington to the Dallas Mavericks. Adds so much lineup flexibility and two-way skill. pic.twitter.com/Fz06QKGByM
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 8, 2024
Washington is a much better scorer than Grant Williams, with an ability to create his own shot and hit threes; P.J. has had multiple 40-point games and averaged 13 points and 5.5 rebounds, with over two assists and a block for his career of five seasons played with the Hornets. Washington can also help the Mavericks more defensively with a much longer 7’2 wingspan, even though he’s short for an NBA forward at 6’7. So far this season, he has shown good defensive effort when he’s next to a rim-protecting center like Mark Williams, which could translate into playing alongside Derek Lively for the Dallas Mavericks.
Adrian Wojnarowski reported Luka Doncic was "very enthusiastic" about the Dallas Mavericks trading for P.J. Washington.
"I was told that Luka Doncic was very enthusiastic about the idea of landing PJ Washington. I think that was a little bit of a motivating factor that he was… pic.twitter.com/e30IvssrJ4
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 8, 2024
Back-Up Big Man Gafford Bolsters Dallas Mavericks Bench
The Dallas Mavericks agreed to send center Richaun Holmes, who has a $12.9 million player option for next season, and Oklahoma City’s 2024 first-rounder to the Washington Wizards for Daniel Gafford. The Mavericks agreed to swap rights of their 2028 first-round picks with the Thunder to obtain the 2024 first-rounder from Oklahoma City.
Daniel Gafford vs Cleveland. The fit is obvious. pic.twitter.com/fynSrzepFo
— Bob Sturm (@SportsSturm) February 8, 2024
Daniel Gafford is among the best back-up centers in the NBA for his play and exceptional contract. Gafford, 25, is owed $12.4 million in 2023-24, $13.4 million in 2024-25, and $14.4 in the 2025-26 NBA season. Though Gafford has struggled on offense at times, averaging 10.9 points per game for the Wizards this season, his job will be much easier as long as he’s got Luka or Kyrie next to him to throw lobs, similar to how the guards have found success with rookie center Derek Lively, averaging 9.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks while shooting over 70% from the field.
Starters with 70+ TS% this season (minimum 10 games):
— Dereck Lively
— Daniel Gafford
— Dante ExumThey all play on the same team. pic.twitter.com/cXWBEfXOVF
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 8, 2024
While the 12th overall pick of the 2023 draft rests, the Dallas Mavericks will benefit from Gafford’s tough defense, averaging 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and a steal per game. Entering Thursday night, the Dallas Mavericks were 22-14 this season with Lively in the rotation and 6-9 in the games Lively missed while recovering from surgery to repair his broken nose. After adding quality depth behind him, the Mavericks will no longer have to worry about front-court issues with Gafford and P.J. Washington being added to the rotation.
For More NBA News and Rumors
For more great content follow me on Facebook Bennett Ervin and on X/Twitter @BennettErvin8 To view more great stories featuring the NBA or College Hoops click this link.