The MavericksThe roster is stacked with power forwards, which could eventually do the trick PJ Washington consumables, Mark Stein of The Stein Line (subscription required), writes in his latest Substack column. Stein has heard that opposing teams believe Dallas will consider parting ways with Washington at some point after an offseason overhaul that included the former No. 1 overall pick Zachary Ryzakerlottery selection Morez Johnson Jr and the European star Tarik Biberavich.
Washington, 28, is entering the first season of the four-year, $88 million extension he signed last summer. Stein says Washington recently talked about wanting to make the playoffs, something that has only happened once in his seven years in the NBA. That may be an unrealistic goal with the rebuilding Mavericks, and several suitors are likely to express interest by February’s trade deadline.
Stein also refers to an interview Washington gave this week Ron Harrod Jr. of DLLS Sports where he discussed a conversation with the team president Masai Ujiri.
“He told me (that) you’re basically what I look for in a player: a big, versatile guy who can do a lot of things on both ends of the court,” Washington said. “He told me that I wasn’t going to change — and (that) if I was, he would have told me. So for me, I think it’s just a confidence building. He’s a guy you can trust and have a great relationship with.”
Stein shares more inside information from around the league:
- With the rookie extension deadline just two weeks away, Stein takes a look at the most likely candidates for new deals. Victor Wembanyama, Amin Thompson, Ausar Thompson and Keyonte George are the only players from the 2023 draft class yet to be extended, and league sources tell Stein that Hornets‘ Brandon Miller, Magic Anthony Black, Thunderstorms Cason Wallace and Warriors‘ Brandin underground the most likely candidates to join them. Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin Recently, they talked about “seemingly mutual interest” in the expansion of p Scoot Hendersonbut Stein says it’s hard to gauge the situation with Henderson or Wizards‘ Bilal Coulibaly.
- Sources tell Stein that Golden State wants to complete a deal with Podzemski before the deadline. His Stein Line partner, Jake Fisher, said on Bleacher Report’s video broadcast last week that it could depend on whether the Warriors want to win a four-year, $60 million extension that the Heat gave Pele Larson last month.
- Stein also summarizes Pistons“summer contract confrontation with Jalen Durenwhich ended when he took command five-year, $200 million sacrifice on October 1st expressed his loyalty to the organization during a news conference Sunday, but Stein notes that any lingering bitterness should be put to rest quickly as the Pistons open the preseason tonight and play their first regular season game in 15 days.