Mavericks trade for Hornets' P.J. Washington
This season, P.J. Washington has proven to be a reliable scorer for the Hornets.
Dallas is still enhancing its frontcourt as the 2023-24 season enters its final weeks.
The Mavs have worked out a trade to acquire Hornets forward P.J. Washington from the Hornets for Grant Williams, Seth Curry and a first-round pick. Dallas also closed on a trade that netted them Wizards center Daniel Gafford.
Mavs receive:
- P.J. Washington
- 2024-second-round pick
- 2028 second-round pick
Hornets receive:
- Grant Williams
- Seth Curry
- 2027 first-round pick
What trade means for Mavs: Dallas (28-23) is No. 8 in the Western Conference playoff chase, but just two games behind the Phoenix Suns (30-21) and New Orleans Pelicans (30-21) for the No. 5 and 6 seeds, respectively.
One issue keeping the Mavs from climbing the ranks has been its play around the basket, particularly in rebounding and defense. Dallas is No. 25 in rebounds per game (41.5) and allows 45.6 points in the paint, which ranks 28th.
In adding Washington (as well as Gafford), the Mavs are hopefully addressing those issues. Washington is averaging 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game this season, shooting 44.6% overall and 32.4% on 3-pointers. He should slot into a regular role in Dallas’ rotation and provide scoring and rebounding in the paint, as well as some defense.
The addition to the frontcourt comes at a time when star guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have regained their health and have started playing together once more for the Mavericks. The team is currently striving to return to the playoffs following their absence in the postseason last year.
What trade means for Hornets: Charlotte has been one of the busiest teams in trades this season, which isn’t unexpected given the team’s 10-40 record. Earlier on trade deadline day, the Hornets agreed to deal veteran Gordon Hayward to the Oklahoma City Thunder, which came weeks after the team dealt guard Terry Rozier to the Miami Heat.
Williams was a significant acquisition for the Mavs last summer and began this season in Dallas on a high note. However, his performance has significantly declined, even though his stats (8.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.7 apg) are comparable to those he racked up in the 2022-23 season with the Boston Celtics (8.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.7 apg).
Curry, the experienced player, is returning to his home state to play for the same franchise his father, Dell, excelled at in the 1990s. This season, his average stats include 4.3 points per game and 1.4 rebounds per game, and he has a 36.2% shooting average on 3-pointers.
Curry and Williams, both of whom played high school basketball in Charlotte, are returning home.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
