The Dallas Mavericks are at a crossroads. After a turbulent season that included blockbuster trades, crushing injuries, and an improbable lottery win, the franchise landed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
With that pick, they selected Cooper Flagg, a prospect hailed as a once-in-a-generation talent who could reshape the future of the organization.
But while Flagg‘s arrival has electrified fans and injected hope into Dallas, it has also created a serious roster conundrum.
The frontcourt, once a position of strength, suddenly looks overcrowded. And at the center of the problem sits PJ Washington, a starter who may not have a clear role moving forward.
The Frontcourt Logjam: Too much talent, not enough spots
Flagg‘s résumé speaks for itself. The 18-year-old forward out of Duke averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in his lone college season, leading the Blue Devils to a Final Four and sweeping major awards, including ACC Player of the Year.
At 6-foot-9, Flagg combines defensive versatility with offensive skill, earning comparisons to stars like Grant Hill and Aaron Gordon. Mavericks GM Nico Harrison called him a “generational gift” and flatly refused to trade the pick despite heavy interest.
Yet, success comes at a cost. Dallas already invested in their frontcourt, extending Daniel Gafford on a three-year, $54 million deal while holding the rights to young center Dereck Lively II.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis, acquired in the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doni to the Lakers, prefers to remain at power forward, making it even harder to carve out minutes.
Add in veteran scorers like Klay Thompson and new signing D’Angelo Russell in the backcourt, and the rotation suddenly feels jammed.
That brings us to Washington. The 25-year-old forward was acquired from Charlotte at the 2024 deadline and played a vital role in Dallas’ Finals run.
Last season, he started consistently, averaging 13 points and 6 rebounds while guarding multiple positions. His current contract pays him $14.1 million for 2025-26, the final year of his three-year, $46.5 million deal.
Extension-eligible at the end of August, Washington could command up to four years and $90 million.
However, analysts question whether Dallas sees him in their long-term plans. On the Game Theory Podcast, NBA insider Sam Vecenie explained the dilemma:
“PJ Washington literally did this, went to Dallas and became exactly what they needed at the four next to Lively and Gafford while Luka was there and helped them get to a finals series.”
But Vecenie didn’t stop there, adding: “If PJ Washington tells them like, ‘Hey, you guys have no room for me long-term and I’m coming off the bench because we have Cooper Flagg there… why the f** do I want to be there?'”*
It’s a stark reality. If Washington refuses to accept a reduced role, Dallas could be forced to trade him before the deadline, or risk losing him for nothing in free agency.
For now, excitement around Cooper Flagg remains sky-high. NBA 2K26 even has him averaging over 20 points per game in simulation, fueling fan expectations. But the Mavericks‘ front office has a delicate balance to strike: embrace their new star while avoiding the loss of a proven starter.
What’s clear is that Flagg‘s presence has shifted Dallas’ timeline. With Kyrie Irving still rehabbing an ACL injury and Davis leading the veteran core, the rookie’s arrival may extend the Mavericks’ championship window well into the next decade. The question is whether PJ Washington will still be a part of it.
Read the full article here
