The Dallas Mavericks are doubling down on their frontcourt depth and stability, officially inking forward PJ Washington to a four-year, $90 million contract extension that will keep him with the franchise through the 2029-30 season. The deal, first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, locks in another key piece of Dallas’ core as the organization continues its post-Luka Doncic era rebuild.
Washington, 27, has thrived in Dallas since arriving from the Charlotte Hornets at the 2024 trade deadline. In just a season and a half with the Mavericks, he has averaged 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, while shooting 45.3% from the field and 38.1% from beyond the arc.
His defensive versatility has also been a major asset—Washington was one of only eight players in the NBA last season to average at least one steal and one block per game across more than 50 appearances.
More importantly, Washington proved his value under playoff pressure. During Dallas’ 2024 run to the NBA Finals, he started all 22 postseason contests, providing timely shooting, rebounding, and switchable defense.
His ability to guard multiple positions while stretching the floor turned him into a vital piece of Jason Kidd’s rotation. Without his contributions, Dallas’ unexpected march to the Finals would not have been possible.
The extension represents a significant raise under the NBA’s collective bargaining rules. Washington was scheduled to make $14.1 million in the final year of his old contract, but the new deal bumps his salary to $19.8 million in 2026-27 and escalates to $24.6 million by the final season.
He also becomes ineligible to be traded for the entirety of the upcoming 2025-26 season, ensuring the Mavericks will have at least one year of roster continuity with him firmly in place.
This agreement comes on the heels of Dallas securing extensions for Kyrie Irving (three years, $118.5 million) and Daniel Gafford (three years, $60 million).
Alongside Anthony Davis, who still has two years left on his contract, and rookie-scale stars Cooper Flagg and Dereck Lively II, the Mavericks boast arguably the deepest frontcourt in basketball. Washington’s presence as a two-way forward gives Dallas the flexibility to play big, small, or anywhere in between.
There are, however, financial implications. By 2026-27, the Mavericks project to be well over the second apron threshold, which comes with harsh penalties such as trade restrictions and reduced roster flexibility. Still, team executives appear comfortable with the commitment, signaling they see this as their best chance to compete for a title in the near future.
For Washington, the extension is validation. A former 12th overall pick by Charlotte in 2019, he entered the league as a stretch-four with promise but spent much of his early career overshadowed on a struggling Hornets team.
His move to Dallas offered both a bigger stage and a clearer role, and he has seized the opportunity. Signing a four-year deal worth $90 million not only secures his long-term future financially but also establishes him as a cornerstone of one of the league’s premier frontcourts.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, continue to show belief in their current roster construction. Losing Doncic in 2025 was a seismic moment, but the additions of Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, and a re-signed PJ Washington suggest the team has no plans of stepping back.
Washington, now locked in until 2030, embodies that philosophy: a player in his prime who can defend, rebound, shoot, and step up in big moments.
For Dallas fans, the extension signals stability and ambition. For PJ Washington, it is the payoff of years of steady growth and the chance to cement his legacy as a central figure in the Mavericks’ push for championship redemption.
