The Dallas Mavericks made a worthy gamble by trading for Zaccharie Risacher. Considering the cost to acquire a 21-year-old former No. 1 overall pick with the physical tools he has, it was a no-brainer move for the Mavs.
At the same time, it created a need to make more moves. Dallas already had a crowded forward rotation and was thin in the backcourt. Turning Ryan Nembhard into another combo forward means that the Mavericks have to shuffle things around further.
Another trade is needed to make sure all the new acquisitions, Risacher, Morez Johnson Jr., and Santi Aldama, get enough playing time.
This makes P.J. Washington the most obvious trade candidate on the team.
P.J. Washington has become expendable after the Risacher trade
As things stand now, the forward rotation for Dallas is Cooper Flagg, Washington, Johnson Jr., Aldama, Risacher, and Caleb Martin. This doesn't even include Naji Marshall and Klay Thompson, who can certainly get minutes at small forward. Sure, Aldama and Johnson can play some small-ball center, but the best position for all six of those players is either small forward or power forward.
Given that every single one of those players needs to play due to their stature, something's got to give. The power forward spot is especially deep. In order to balance minutes for everyone, removing Washington from the equation makes the most sense.
Washington should have plenty of trade value on the market as a proven starting-caliber forward. He has played at a high level in the playoffs and was a huge part of the Mavs' NBA Finals run. There aren't too many players who can shoot, put the ball on the floor, and defend multiple positions.
His contract isn't the most team-friendly in the NBA, but it's not an unfavorable deal by any means. It will pay him $88 million for the next four years. If he can stay healthy, he will be well worth that $22 million average annual salary. The problem is, he missed 25 games in each of the last two seasons. However, there will still be teams that value the fact that he is under team control for four years.
If the Mavs can get any first-round picks for him, it would be a big win. Also, getting a young backcourt player they can develop would be ideal, but the Mavs can't be too picky. The goal here is to open up opportunities for their young players, and moving on from Washington will accomplish that.
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