The Dallas Mavericks won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery and the right to select Cooper Flagg with the first pick this summer. If that is the path they take, it would form a crowded frontcourt rotation, which could lead to a trade or two to make room. In that case, the Milwaukee Bucks would be wise to see if they'd be willing to trade P.J. Washington, who would make plenty of sense in green.
The Milwaukee Bucks should have eyes on P.J. Washington
On paper, P.J. Washington could play the role the Milwaukee Bucks envisioned from Kyle Kuzma this past season. Ironically, before acquiring Washington in 2024, Dallas wanted Kuzma, but the former Wizard allegedly vetoed the trade because he wanted to stay in the nation's capital.
Both Kuzma and Washington are athletic forwards who can play defense and put points on the board occasionally. The catch is that Washington is the better player, outdoing Kuzma's averages in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks following Kuzma's trade to Milwaukee. Furthermore, Kuzma will make $22 million next season, while the current Mavericks forward is at $14 million.
Washington could be Milwaukee's defensive ace, serving as a versatile 6-foot-7 forward who can guard just about anyone on the floor. With that, he could also be the perfect small-ball four when the Milwaukee Bucks go small with Giannis Antetokounmpo at the five, something they couldn't do much in the playoffs with Kuzma because he couldn't stay on the floor against the Indiana Pacers.
If it's a Kuzma swap, the Milwaukee Bucks would find someone to reroute Kuzma to, given that it would make little sense for Dallas to take on another forward when the goal would be to shed bodies at the position. Perhaps the Bucks could explore one route that involves keeping Kuzma in town and adding P.J. Washington to the roster, giving them two towering athletic forwards in tow.
You can never have too many of those in today's NBA.
If the Milwaukee Bucks get the green light that Giannis Antetokounmpo will stick around, the goal has to be getting a younger and more athletic supporting cast around him. Washington, still just 26 years old and as athletic as ever, would fit the billing. If the Mavericks explore his market, it makes plenty of sense for the Bucks to be among the first in line to make a pitch.
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