P.J. Washington Traded to Mavs; Hornets Get Grant Williams, Seth Curry, Draft Pick

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P.J. Washington is headed to Dallas.

The Mavericks acquired Washington and two second-round picks from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Grant Williams, Seth Curry and a first-round pick. Dallas will receive second-round picks in 2024 and 20288 as part of the deal.

The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania reported the Mavericks are sending a protected 2027 first-round pick.

Washington brings with him a stronger offensive game than that of Williams.

The 25-year-old is averaging 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 44 games while shooting 44.6 percent from the floor and 32.4 percent from deep. His numbers are down from the 2022-23 campaign, but that’s likely a result of playing on one of the worst teams in the NBA.

Washington figures to slot into the starting five alongside Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II. However, it’s unclear how this move alone will vault the Mavs into title contention in the Western Conference alongside the likes of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Dallas sits eighth in the West with a 28-23 record, seven games back of the first-place Thunder.

Williams had been a rumored trade candidate for the Mavericks this winter despite joining the franchise in a sign-and-trade from the Boston Celtics in July.

The Mavs were hoping the 25-year-old would take a leap forward in his development while playing alongside Dončić and Irving in the starting lineup after playing primarily off the bench in Boston during the first four seasons of his career.

However, he failed to meet expectations in Dallas and was eventually moved to the bench. He averaged 8.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 47 games (33 starts) while shooting 41.3 percent from the floor and 37.6 percent from deep.

Now in Charlotte, Williams could slot into the starting lineup alongside LaMelo Ball, Cody Martin and Miles Bridges. His three-and-D skill set will be a welcomed addition, though the Hornets are already well out of playoff contention with a 10-40 record.

As for Curry, he figures to be a depth option at guard behind Ball, Martin, Ish Smith and Bryce McGowens.

Curry, in his first season with the Mavs, was averaging 4.3 points and 1.4 rebounds in 36 games while shooting 37.2 percent from the floor and 36.3 percent from beyond the arc. Beyond his play on the court, the 33-year-old has been in the league since 2013, so he should be a reliable resource for some of the team’s younger players.