A quick roster readjustment can pay major dividends. Just ask the Dallas Mavericks.
Before this year’s trade deadline, the Mavs were fighting for a play-in spot and needed an extra boost behind its star-studded combo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. After acquiring P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, the team’s fortunes changed and it solidified itself as one of the league’s most dangerous groups.
Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki recently had high praise for one of these acquisitions, saying the player helped push Dallas “over the top.”
“I think we had a good team before, but getting P.J. and Gaff at the trading deadline was an unbelievable move by management. Gave us some depth, gave us length,” Nowitzki said on a recent episode of Shaquille O’Neal’s The Big Podcast with Shaq. “P.J. has been incredible.
“I think in Charlotte, maybe at times, I don’t know if they wanted him to score too much. I’m not really sure what the problem was. But here, it’s just a perfect fit and match for the guys.”
Nowitzki added that Washington’s North Texas roots are an added bonus.
After helping lift Dallas to the Western Conference’s fifth seed, Washington continued to up his game throughout the postseason. In 19 playoff matchups, Washington is averaging 13.8 points and 6.8 rebounds with a 113.1 defensive rating. He has also emerged as a dangerous 3-point shooter from the corners, hitting 35% of his attempts from deep.
He even became a cult hero for MFFLs with his new signature “Standing on Business” pose. The iconic stance came to be during Dallas’ emphatic Game 3 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Round 1.
“[Terance Mann] came in and was telling me not to look at their bench,” Washington said. “I was like, ‘You’re not gonna tell me what to do.’ I decided to strike a pose in front of the bench, just look at ‘em and get some good pictures in while doing it.
“I just wanted to make a statement that you’re not gonna come in our house and try to tell us what to do and push us around. That’s all it was.”
With many Dallas supporters on his side, Washington can now add a Basketball Hall of Famer to his growing list.
Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
