PJ Washington Signs $90 Million Blockbuster Deal, Leaving Klay Thompson and 4 Mavericks Stars Facing Big Questions

The Dallas Mavericks just made one of the most important moves of their offseason. In a couple of intense days that had fans and analysts speculating about the franchise’s direction, Dallas chose to lock in one of its most versatile pieces, PJ Washington, with a lucrative contract extension.

On Wednesday, ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania reported:

“Dallas Mavericks forward PJ Washington has agreed to a four-year, $90 million contract extension with the franchise, agent Kevin Bradbury of LIFT Sports Management told ESPN. Washington secures a new deal that keeps him in Dallas through 2029-30.”

For the Mavericks, this deal is more than just about numbers — it’s about identity, flexibility, and timing in a league where cap space and player movement dictate championship windows.

The Deal: Loyalty Meets Calculated Risk

Washington’s extension ensures he remains a part of the Mavericks’ core for at least the next five seasons, but it’s not without strategic implications. Under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, certain types of extensions trigger temporary trade restrictions.

If a veteran extension raises a player’s salary by more than 20% from the final year of their previous deal, the team faces a six-month trade freeze or one that lasts until February 15, whichever is later. This is not a permanent no-trade clause but a pause — a window in which the team cannot move the player, even if circumstances shift.

Theoretically, if Dallas had structured the deal at or below $73.2 million across four years, Washington would remain tradeable immediately. Instead, by signing him to a four-year, $90 million extension, the Mavericks chose commitment over maximum flexibility. It’s a bold statement — one that says PJ Washington is not just another roster piece but a foundational part of the franchise’s long-term vision.

Cap Pressure and the Second Apron Tightrope

Dallas’ payroll is now dangerously close to the second apron, projected at $207.824 million. According to NBA cap tracking, the Mavericks sit at roughly $206.2 million, meaning any significant mid-season addition could push them into restrictive territory.

Crossing the second apron triggers stiff penalties, limiting trade flexibility, eliminating access to certain exceptions, and curbing future draft maneuvering. For a team built around a retooled roster — with Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Cooper Flagg, and Dereck Lively all holding significant roles — every dollar now has strategic weight.

Veteran contracts like Klay Thompson ($16.67M AAV) and Daniel Gafford ($14M, soon escalating under his $54.2M extension) become harder to move, while cost-controlled deals such as Max Christie ($32M over four years), Naji Marshall ($9M), and Caleb Martin ($8.75M) grow in importance.

In essence, Dallas has tightened its rotation of movable pieces. The front office has chosen to protect its core — but that decision comes with ripple effects.

Mavericks Assets: Locked, Loaded, and Guarded

Locked On Mavericks host Isaac Harris broke down the hierarchy of Dallas’ most valuable assets. According to Harris, the team’s untouchable pieces include:

• Cooper Flagg – The franchise’s future cornerstone

• Anthony Davis – Fully committed, essential to championship contention

• First-round picks – Highly valuable but guarded for potential future trades

• Dereck Lively – A rising star in the frontcourt

• Kyrie Irving – Dynamic scorer and playmaker

• PJ Washington – Now locked in, sixth in trade value due to universal demand

That leaves a very small circle of tradeable assets heading into the season. Harris suggested that if Dallas explores deals at the trade deadline, the names most likely in conversations would be Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, Max Christie, Naji Marshall, and Caleb Martin.

Essentially, the Mavericks’ best trade chips are now either untouchable or difficult to move due to contract structure and cap mechanics.

Balancing Loyalty and Flexibility

Washington’s deal represents a pivotal moment for the Mavericks’ front office. By rewarding him with a high-value extension, Dallas demonstrates loyalty to a player who proved essential on both ends of the floor. His defensive versatility, ability to space the floor, and chemistry with the roster make him a seamless fit in a system built around stars like Davis and Irving.

At the same time, this loyalty tightens the team’s trade flexibility. The Mavericks are effectively betting that their current core, if properly optimized and healthy, is good enough to chase titles in the coming years without major structural shake-ups.

But as NBA history often shows, championship windows are fragile. Injuries, chemistry issues, or simply falling behind other rising teams can force even the most stable franchises into aggressive trade scenarios. When February rolls around, the trade market often tests whether loyalty can survive opportunity.

What This Means for the Mavericks’ Championship Window

The Mavericks are now officially all-in. With Cooper Flagg developing, Anthony Davis anchoring the frontcourt, Kyrie Irving providing elite offensive production, and PJ Washington locked in long term, Dallas has a championship-caliber framework.

But there are stress points:

• Klay Thompson’s future – As a veteran with declining trade value and a sizable contract, he may be the first domino to fall if Dallas needs roster balance or future picks.

• Cap restrictions – The second apron limits the tools available to improve the roster mid-season.

• Deadline decisions – By February, the Mavericks will know whether their gamble on this core is paying off — or whether sacrifices must be made.

The extension sends a strong message to the locker room and to the league: PJ Washington is not just a piece; he’s part of the identity. But it also signals that every other move from here carries weight — every trade, every contract, every rotation tweak will ripple through a roster with little margin for error.

Conclusion: Stability with a Side of Uncertainty

The Mavericks’ decision to sign PJ Washington to a four-year, $90 million contract extension is both a stabilizing and destabilizing force. It secures a talented forward who fits their system and aligns with their long-term goals. But it also narrows their trade flexibility, pushes them to the financial edge, and heightens the stakes for every move they make next.

As February approaches and the trade market heats up, Dallas will have to decide whether to ride this core fully intact or whether a shake-up is necessary to chase the championship they’re clearly aiming for.

For now, though, Dallas has planted its flag. PJ Washington is here to stay — and in the modern NBA, that’s a statement with consequences on and off the court.