The Mavericks' Cooper Flagg Era Has a Rough Start

The moment the Dallas Mavericks drafted Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, fans doubted P.J. Washington's long-term fit with the new franchise cornerstone.

Flagg thrives on the wing, like Washington, and fans knew this would be a major talking point during Flagg's rookie season.

Less than a year later, Washington is appearing in trade rumors.

NBA insider Marc Stein recently shared the latest rumors surrounding the Mavericks, and less than a year after signing him to a four-year, $89 million extension, Dallas is open to trading the former Kentucky Wildcat.

"Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford are the veterans the Mavericks are seen as most open to trading," Stein reported.

Dallas isn't making Washington untouchable this summer, and these are the first official trade rumors since being traded to the Mavericks at the 2024 trade deadline.

He was a key piece in Dallas' run to the NBA Finals in 2024, and it seemed like he could be a long-term player on the Mavericks after his heroics.

In the first round against the LA Clippers, Washington "stood on business," averaging 17.7 points per game while shooting 46.9 percent from 3-point range in the second round against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Washington became the Thunder's kryptonite that postseason, and given his Dallas roots, this seemed like the beginning of a long career playing in the Lone Star State.

He was an excellent fit next to Luka Doncic, but with Flagg as the new showman, his fit is far more complicated.

Washington and Flagg play the same position, and his shooting is a glaring question mark the Mavericks can't afford to bet on.

Last season, Washington shot 32.5 percent from three after shooting 38.1 percent the season prior, and Dallas plummeted to the team with the fifth-worst 3-point percentage in the NBA last season.

Allocating nearly $90 million to a player with a redundant skill set as Flagg's is a major risk.

Last season, the Mavericks were unable to trade the 6-foot-7 forward due to a six-month trade restriction triggered by his extension contract.

Despite this, Mavericks fans knew the writing was on the wall for Washington following last season.

He struggled to stay healthy for the second year in a row, had one of the worst long-range shooting seasons of his career, and was an awkward fit on the court with the new king of Dallas.

Stein's report that Dallas is open to trading Washington shouldn't be a shock to anyone, as Masai Ujiri has made it clear that every move will be future-based to build a contender around Flagg.

This is their team, and with Washington turning 28 before the start of next season, the Mavericks may be better off trading him for draft capital and a young asset rather than betting on him fitting with Flagg.

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