The Los Angeles Lakers have every reason to consider trading for P.J. Washington and a limited number of sufficient resources to complete a deal under the current circumstances…

Washington will make an expiring $14,152,174 before entering unrestricted free agency in 2026—and the Lakers’ best bet at matching that figure would likely underwhelm the Dallas Mavericks in trade negotiations.

With a contract extension seemingly looming, however, Washington could soon be paid at a figure the Lakers will have an easier time matching with quality value.

Los Angeles’ potential interest in Washington would be founded in a simple reality: He and Luka Doncic produced incredible results during the 2023-24 season with the Mavericks. Unfortunately, matching Washington’s current salary comes with the challenge of failing to measure up to Dallas’ on-court valuation of their dynamic forward.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Mavericks are expected to sign Washington to an extension—likely in the realm of the four years and $90 million he’s soon to be eligible for.

“Houston’s Kevin Durant remains eligible for a two-year deal worth nearly $120 million with his new team, but the next notable on-deck signee could well be the Mavericks’ P.J. Washington, who becomes eligible Friday for a new four-year deal just shy of $90 million. League sources tell The Stein Line that an extension for Washington is likely.”

Contrary to what one might think, this development actually makes it easier for the Lakers to acquire Washington during the 2026 offseason.

Lakers can make a stronger offer for P.J. Washington after extension

It’s easy to plug in names and numbers into a trade machine and thus determine that a deal can be struck. For instance, under the current set of circumstances, the Lakers could complete a trade of Dalton Knecht and either Jarred Vanderbilt or Gabe Vincent for Washington.

While the financial numbers would line up, the hurdle in coordinating that deal is convincing the Mavericks that it’d actually be worth their time.

Perhaps Dallas views Knecht in a bright enough light that they’d be willing to take on Vincent’s expiring contract to bring him aboard.

It’s also possible that they’re interested in acquiring Vanderbilt and utilizing his defensive versatility to their advantage.

With Vanderbilt’s extensive injury history and Vincent due to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, however, it’s feasible that the Mavericks would decline the offer.

Washington is a high-level player who played a pivotal role in helping Dallas reach the 2024 NBA Finals. That includes a stretch of three consecutive games with at least 20 points during the Mavericks’ second-round win over the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder.

Washington proceeded to average 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 blocks, 1.1 steals, and 1.6 three-point field goals made on .453/.381/.722 shooting in an impressive 2024-25 campaign.

P.J. Washington reuniting with Luka Doncic could resolve multiple issues

Washington’s value is multifaceted, with the athleticism to play comfortably above the rim and the shooting range to stretch the floor. He’s also a skilled passer, a versatile defender, and a proven pick-and-roll threat who thrived when playing alongside Doncic in Dallas.

In the event that he signs for the aforementioned figure of four years and $90 million, the Lakers would have multiple options to reunite that duo in Los Angeles.

While the deal would likely be either front or backloaded, suppose Washington has a first-year base salary of $22.5 million for an extension that would kick in during the 2026-27 season. There’s a realistic outcome in which a sign-and-trade of Rui Hachimura for Washington could be negotiated.

Los Angeles could also create a package of players such as Knecht, Jake LaRavia, and Jarred Vanderbilt, thus offering Dallas an opportunity to create an infusion of depth.

Draft compensation would likely need to be attached to the latter deal, but another quality player on a team-friendly contract would certainly sweeten the pot. It’s also worth noting that Los Angeles’ cap situation could be transformatively different in 2026 than it currently is, thus expanding its options further.

An extension would undoubtedly delay the process of the Lakers trading for Washington, but come 2026, it could result in a deal being far more realistic than one might think.