The Dallas Mavericks hit the jackpot by winning the NBA Draft lottery and selecting Duke superstar forward Cooper Flagg No. 1 overall. 

While the Mavericks are the clear winners of the early portion of the draft, Blue Man Hoop’s Tyler Watts believes the Golden State Warriors could capitalize on Dallas’ obvious decision by acquiring a 26-year-old Mavericks misfit this offseason. 

“The Golden State Warriors should trade for P.J. Washington after the Cooper Flagg selection created a frontcourt logjam for the Mavericks," Watts wrote Wednesday. "Dallas has Dereck Lively II locked in at the five with Anthony Davis at the four."

“That means playing Flagg at the three. The Mavs have Washington and Daniel Gafford behind them. All five players want significant minutes, and Dallas only has so many available in the frontcourt.”

“Washington played a key role in the Mavs’ 2024 NBA Finals run. The 6-foot-7 forward can defend multiple positions, operate as a small-ball five, and make shots. He is just entering his prime, and the 26-year-old could instantly help any contender.”

“The Warriors' biggest weakness last season was size and scoring behind Stephen Curry. The Jimmy Butler trade made them look like a true contender, but the Dubs did not quite have enough pieces in the playoffs. Getting one more key rotation piece could push them over the top, and Washington should be readily available.”

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Washington struggled mightily in the Mavericks’ final contest of the 2024-25 campaign, recording zero points in 27 minutes during the franchise’s 120-106 No. 10 vs No. 8 season-ending Play-In loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Still, that doesn’t change the fact that Washington enjoyed the second-most productive season of his young career. 

The must-have 6-foot-6 role player averaged 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game on a Mavericks squad that ditched Luka Doncic on Feb. 2, shooting 45.3% from the field and 38.1% from beyond the arc.

Washington likes to keep it simple on the offensive end.

The Kentucky product takes advantage of his uncontested three-point shooting opportunities, attacks closeouts at the appropriate speed with either hand, and finishes strong around the rim in dump-off situations. 

Defensively, the Louisville, Kentucky native forward is a switchable asset with an edge that enables him to win one-on-one battles more often than not. 

With Washington likely being the odd man out in Dallas after the Mavericks’ predictable No. 1 overall selection, it would make sense for the mediocre Warriors to inquire about the well-rounded former McDonald’s All-American this summer.

More NBA: Former Lakers NBA champion star predicted to ditch Mavericks' Cooper Flagg after NBA Draft