Mavericks End Grant Williams Experiment With P.J. Washington Trade

The Dallas Mavericks have made it abundantly clear that they are not content with the production from their frontcourt this season. 

It was reported on Thursday morning that the Mavericks were nearing a trade to acquire center Daniel Gafford from the Washington Wizards. However, Dallas isn’t done making deals as they are trading Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and a first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for P.J. Washington, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Charania adds that the Hornets are receiving a 2027 first-round pick from Dallas (top-two protected) and sending two second-round picks to the Mavs.

Washington was another big man who was a potential trade candidate in the days leading up to the trade deadline. This season with the Hornets, Washington is averaging 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per game. The former first-round pick is shooting 44.6% from the field and 32.4% from three-point range.

However, Washington is a career 35.9% three-point shooter and is a substantial upgrade over Williams and Derrick Jones Jr. Williams was traded by the Boston Celtics this past offseason in a multi-team trade, sending him to the Mavericks.

The 25-year-old power forward left a lot to be desired in the frontcourt, as he only averaged 8.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. To his credit, Williams shot 37.6% from three-point range, but it’s evident the Mavs wanted more offense with Washington.

Washington signed a three-year, $46.5 million contract extension last summer, which means he will be in Dallas for the next couple of seasons. Dallas hopes the Gafford/Washington duo can be a net-positive as they try to build a competitive team around superstar Luka Doncic.

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