AROUND the NBA:

[Smitty]

It's only "shortsighted" if that PG is OLD. Or, if that OLD PG costs YOUNG assets. 

There's definitely a limit to what I'd be willing to give up PJW FOR, but that doesn't change the fact that his role here WILL be smaller over the next 2-3 seasons. Are we sure he'll even WANT to stay? I'd not be shocked if he's not looking around for more playing time as we type. 

If you could somehow package 26 year old PJW for a 25 year old guy who FITS better? I think it would be shortsighted NOT to jump on that, particularly if it helped clear a way forward in terms of salary structure. 

I'll be pretty surprised if they can somehow convince PJW to come off the bench on a contract year and have his head right with it. 

Now, tell me you were a fly on the wall and you think they were about to try to convince AD he's a 5 (which he is), then a totally different conversation can start up.

AD is a 5. I’d rather trade him for a PG than PJW. Give me PJW at 22M at PF over AD at 60M, when he could bring back a real game changer at PG. OR just make his a$$ play 5 where he belongs.

[KillerLeft]

AD is a 5. I’d rather trade him for a PG than PJW. Give me PJW at 22M at PF over AD at 60M, when he could bring back a real game changer at PG. OR just make his a$$ play 5 where he belongs.

That's a tough one, because I kind of agree. 

For sure agree that he's a 5 (though I've come around a bit on playing him at the 4 a little - intrigued by the fit with Lively in certain matchups). 

I think you can make an argument that moving him makes a lot of sense, sure, only I doubt Harrison will consider that. And, if I'm being totally honest, I think there's a world in which doing that would be the wrong move. I mean, Flagg/AD is an UNREAL duo, and since there flatly isn't a path to the traditional type of rebuild, even with Flagg gifted as a fire-starter, my strong inclination is to go for the best version of the team that can be had during his rookie contract. Imagine how much more quickly Flagg can learn everything with AD as a model and partner! I think it can be done that way, and possibly done BETTER that way. 

If your overall point is that they'd very quickly want a player similar to PJW to put in the mix with Flagg/AD/Lively, I 100% agree. I'm definitely open to keeping him, should things work out that way. You have to have a lead guard in the NBA, though. You just gotta.

[F Gump]

This is what amazes me about Mavs fans. PJ Washington and Aaron Gordon are essentially the same player.

Player A: 6’8” 235 lbs. 14.7 pts | 4.8 rbs | 3.2 ast 

Player B: 6’7” 230 lbs. 14.7 pts | 7.8 rbs | 2.3 ast

Player A: $34.5M
Player B: $14.1M

Both elite defenders. 


PJ’s max extension is ~4/90M ($22M AAV) and we’re trying to trade him because “fit”. Would you trade 29 year old Aaron Gordon for a JAG because of fit? Why are we entertaining the idea of doing so for 26 year old PJ?

Why? Because it may be about MONEY more than fit. It remains to be seen if PJW would sign that extension if offered. That's a MAJOR factor in evaluating his desirability.

[Smitty]

That's a tough one, because I kind of agree. 

For sure agree that he's a 5 (though I've come around a bit on playing him at the 4 a little - intrigued by the fit with Lively in certain matchups). 

I think you can make an argument that moving him makes a lot of sense, sure, only I doubt Harrison will consider that. And, if I'm being totally honest, I think there's a world in which doing that would be the wrong move. I mean, Flagg/AD is an UNREAL duo, and since there flatly isn't a path to the traditional type of rebuild, even with Flagg gifted as a fire-starter, my strong inclination is to go for the best version of the team that can be had during his rookie contract. Imagine how much more quickly Flagg can learn everything with AD as a model and partner! I think it can be done that way, and possibly done BETTER that way. 

If your overall point is that they'd very quickly want a player similar to PJW to put in the mix with Flagg/AD/Lively, I 100% agree. I'm definitely open to keeping him, should things work out that way. You have to have a lead guard in the NBA, though. You just gotta.

My initial point is that PJW is Aaron Gordon. Maybe better. Just my opinion. Getting a player of PJ’s caliber at $22M AAV through age 30 might be one of the best contracts in the NBA. I’m just not trading that for a stop gap PG.

[KillerLeft]

My initial point is that PJW is Aaron Gordon. Maybe better. Just my opinion. Getting a player of PJ’s caliber at $22M AAV through age 30 might be one of the best contracts in the NBA. I’m just not trading that for a stop gap PG.

I'd prefer not to have a "stop gap" PG, either. 

But, if the plan is to build this thing for the next couple of years around a front court of Lively, AD and Flagg (there are other options), then I just think PJW might be a little on the overkill side as a bench player, particularly with the current state of the back court, and, as Gump said, depending on what he's willing to accept on his next deal. 

If PJW wants to be here badly enough to accept bench money and the role of 6th or 7th man, not starting and possibly not finishing games, then heck yeah! I would think more of myself than that, were I in his shoes, just like Aaron Gordon would.

[F Gump]

My initial point is that PJW is Aaron Gordon. Maybe better. Just my opinion. Getting a player of PJ’s caliber at $22M AAV through age 30 might be one of the best contracts in the NBA. I’m just not trading that for a stop gap PG.

You argue for keeping PJW, based on your assumption PJW is willing to sign a max 4/90 extension. But what if he'd rather wait a year to sign anything, when his 4-year max will be around 220?

Or what if he has no interest in extending here, with minutes drying up by the additions of both AD and CF??

Some of us (maybe most) who would trade him are assuming he may stop being financially advantageous -- and that if things are headed in that direction, Mavs need to be proactive and get value (in particular, a good value offense creator).. And the crossroads is this summer.

[Smitty]

You argue for keeping PJW, based on your assumption PJW is willing to sign a max 4/90 extension. But what if he'd rather wait a year to sign anything, when his 4-year max will be around 220?

Or what if he has no interest in extending here, with minutes drying up by the additions of both AD and CF??

Some of us (maybe most) who would trade him are assuming he may stop being financially advantageous -- and that if things are headed in that direction, Mavs need to be proactive and get value (in particular, a good value offense creator).. And the crossroads is this summer.

All we have are assumptions. IF you can lock up PJ, you do it. Fit be damned. That’s all I’m saying. Of course, if I’m PJ I don’t sign the 4/$90 extension. But if the Mavs never offer it and elect to trade him, it’s the same Brunson B.S!

[KillerLeft]

All we have are assumptions. IF you can lock up PJ, you do it. Fit be damned. That’s all I’m saying. Of course, if I’m PJ I don’t sign the 4/$90 extension. But if the Mavs never offer it and elect to trade him, it’s the same Brunson B.S!

Hell, I offer it to him for sure, if that's what this is about. He'll be more valuable in a year on that deal than he is how, worst case scenario. 

Then again, they've got to field a version of this team that doesn't hamstring them with all that apron nonsense.

[Winter]

My initial point is that PJW is Aaron Gordon. Maybe better. Just my opinion. Getting a player of PJ’s caliber at $22M AAV through age 30 might be one of the best contracts in the NBA. I’m just not trading that for a stop gap PG.

I agree with this sentiment as a general one-to-one. I rather think some of other kind of trade involving draft picks, or perhaps a multi-team trade might change my mind,  but I would rather keep PJs talent if possible. 

It will likely be awkward at first, but lineups can exist with both CF and PJ getting appropriate minutes at the 3 and 4. The Mavs might stumble around with the rotations at first, but I would rather that be the case than seeing a talent-loss trade.

[loki]

One point I would make in favor of keeping PJ is that even if you trade him you probably aren't getting a lead guard back. Most of the proposals I've seen are for scorers like Coby White, Simons, Sexton. These guys don't play defense, can't run an offense, and don't fit in the starting lineup when Kyrie comes back. Not to mention they'll probably require a future pick to be added.

[Winter]

One point I would make in favor of keeping PJ is that even if you trade him you probably aren't getting a lead guard back. Most of the proposals I've seen are for scorers like Coby White, Simons, Sexton. These guys don't play defense, can't run an offense, and don't fit in the starting lineup when Kyrie comes back. Not to mention they'll probably require a future pick to be added.

I think this is absolutely true. I don't see any one-to-one trade for PJ that turns into a net-positive talent-wise. 

I think whatever trade there is that includes PJ will have to include draft picks or a much larger trade including multiple players that can produce a better balance sheet in both talent and contracts.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

This is what amazes me about Mavs fans. PJ Washington and Aaron Gordon are essentially the same player.

Player A: 6’8” 235 lbs. 14.7 pts | 4.8 rbs | 3.2 ast 

Player B: 6’7” 230 lbs. 14.7 pts | 7.8 rbs | 2.3 ast

Player A: $34.5M
Player B: $14.1M

Both elite defenders. 


PJ’s max extension is ~4/90M ($22M AAV) and we’re trying to trade him because “fit”. Would you trade 29 year old Aaron Gordon for a JAG because of fit? Why are we entertaining the idea of doing so for 26 year old PJ?

Stats may be similar besides salary, but no way PJW is a better player. Gordon is a better defender, 3pt shooting is a wash (although I think AG is a smidge better) Gordon has also been dynamite in these playoffs, PJW will shrink in the moment sometimes. I expect to get flamed, so bring it. It's my opinion.

[Chicagojk]

One of the real benefits of getting lucky with Flagg is it just opens up a ton of options. I would love PJ to be a part of the Mavs. His game is a little up and down for my liking. At his best, he is a clear top 100 player providing toughness, size, rebounding, defense, and a lot of glue things. Plus this year his shot improved. I am not 100% that will be his % moving forward. I think most teams will live with PJ taking 5 threes a game too.

The PJ conversation is just really tricky and the Mavs Front office have proven they are not good with these tricky conversations. If the Mavs decide to keep PJ or if no clear trade presents himself, I am fine keeping him. Heck, he may have more value at the trade deadline too. Plus, maybe things change mid year (hint Nico fired or Mavs decide to move AD).

BTW, it is just brutal going to other teams pages and see some one sided Mavs trade with Nico jokes. The sad thing is you can't call them ridiculous.

[Chicagojk]

Not Great

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1924099706130514392

[DallasMaverick]

Stats may be similar besides salary, but no way PJW is a better player. Gordon is a better defender, 3pt shooting is a wash (although I think AG is a smidge better) Gordon has also been dynamite in these playoffs, PJW will shrink in the moment sometimes. I expect to get flamed, so bring it. It's my opinion.

One might make the case that Gordon (and MPJ, for that matter) are good, solid, players who were significantly overpaid, and this hamstrings the Nuggets roster-building capacity. 

So maybe PJ is really worth $20m/yr.

Oh, and Calvin Booth is now unemployed.  So there's that.

https://nbaanalysis.net/denver-nuggets-s...rformance/

[FireNicoHarrison]

Stats may be similar besides salary, but no way PJW is a better player. Gordon is a better defender, 3pt shooting is a wash (although I think AG is a smidge better) Gordon has also been dynamite in these playoffs, PJW will shrink in the moment sometimes. I expect to get flamed, so bring it. It's my opinion.

Gordon was a #4 pick. Don't forget it, he is more talented than PJ for sure.

Yes they are similar but rebounds are the most impact difference from them... Gordon is a better player but PJ is younger, for sure at those salary i'll take PJ.

[Knutsen]

Not Great

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1924099706130514392

Oh no, that sucks… Similar to the AD injury I guess. Didn’t look too bad when it happened in his first game for us, he was saying after the game it‘s nothing and more like a cramp - and boom he‘s out for a lot of weeks. 

I had the Nuggets at 50-50 today because of their championship and big game experience, now it‘s more like 25-75 for me.

[myconsumerclub]

Fact Kyrie Klay and AD have injury history and are ancient elders in NBA terms so we need to address the need to keep guys that fit as replacements. Lively is young so he and Cooper are the core of the team going into the future after the elder statesmen are out of the league or so much less effective they are only good as being on the court coaches to the younger guys. AD may be out of 30 to 40 games a season some years. You have to keep PJ around for that reason alone. We have Max to back up Klay and who knows what else we can cobble together with other guys on this team. I am just hoping we get NAJI to where he can start hitting 3 pointers because the rest of his game is a keeper. Brandon Williams is developing into a very capable Kyrie replacement so what we may need is a Luka replacement someone 6'6 to 6'7 who passes great and has a more finessed game to play with and a little bit of bulk to use and bang on others if need be but someone that can none the less plays as a point whatever. Still hoping we can find a Dirk clone as well. Cooper may be a bit closer to Larry Bird clone than anything. If he can play point forward then just use him to bring the ball up and play a bigger PG there like NAJI. Naji won't be the real PG or you can even use PJ there since he hits the 3 better, unless you just feel the need to put someone out there who is 6'1 or so to fool the other team into thinking he is the PG.

[Knutsen]

Oh no, that sucks… Similar to the AD injury I guess. Didn’t look too bad when it happened in his first game for us, he was saying after the game it‘s nothing and more like a cramp - and boom he‘s out for a lot of weeks. 

I had the Nuggets at 50-50 today because of their championship and big game experience, now it‘s more like 25-75 for me.

Wow, Aaron Gordon is playing today - with a grade 2 hamstring strain. What a warrior, let’s hope he doesn’t get injured badly…

[cow]

And playing very well, especially considering it can't hit his top gears.