For years, one of the wings in the league who has made sense for the LA Clippers, from an age and production standpoint, has been P.J. Washington. He was consistent on both ends of the court for the Charlotte Hornets, has done the same for the Dallas Mavericks, and is clearly someone who could benefit the Clippers. However, the asking price on Washington has always been unknown.
Well, Jack Fischer, one of the most credible insiders covering the NBA, revealed what the Mavericks would want, and it’s a first-round pick. Fischer added that the same price applies to Gafford.
That’s not cheap whatsoever. Lawrence Frank has worked tirelessly to build the Clippers’ draft capital for the foreseeable future to what it is today.
But this is Washington we’re talking about, and if a first-rounder is all it’ll take, the Clippers should get the deal done.
The Clippers should pay the Mavs their asking price for P.J. Washington
For a player like P.J. Washington, a first-round pick is beyond worth it. He can shoot the three-ball, make an impact in the paint, crash the glass, and play some rock-solid defense off grit and hustle.
Last season, Washington suited up for 56 games with the Dallas Mavericks, which is a fair sample size, and averaged 14.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.1 blocks, shooting 45.0% from the field in 31.0 minutes.
These are stat-stuffing numbers, and when looking at them as a whole, there’s nothing not to like; he’s as good of a role player as there is.
Washington will be freshly 28 years old heading into next season. This is the age range that fits the LA Clippers, considering other key guys like Derrick Jones Jr., Darius Garland, and Brandon Ingram (pending trade from the Toronto Raptors) are right there with him.
Additionally, in Sep. of  2025, Washington agreed to a four-year, $90 million extension, keeping him on the books through 2029-30. That’s a team-friendly deal if you ask me, especially with the type of two-way impact he makes.
With the Clippers, Washington provides the scoring-rebounding threat in the frontcourt Tyronn Lue’s rotation desperately needs, which only adds to why LA should pay the Dallas Mavericks what they’re asking for him.
That said, with Washington's cost revealed, Lawrence Frank should begin making calls to Dallas’ front office and snag the veteran forward sooner rather than later.
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