Charlotte, North Carolina – January 31: Julian Phillips #15 of the Chicago Bulls defends P.J. ,
getty images
Accordingly, the Dallas Mavericks are acquiring forward PJ Washington in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for forward Grant Williams, guard Seth Curry and Dallas’ 2027 first-round draft pick. multiple reports, The draft pick includes light protection.
This season, the 25-year-old Washington is averaging 13.6 points on 44.6% shooting and 32.4% on three-pointers. He has appeared in 44 games, starting 17, and is also averaging 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 29.4 minutes per game for the beleaguered Hornets.
Rumors linked Washington as a potential target to Dallas for several months as the team looked to strengthen its talent and depth around the perimeter. Now in his fifth season, the former No. 12 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft is in the first year of a recently signed three-year contract.
Washington signed a three-year, $46.5 million deal with Charlotte through August 2023. He’s making $16.84 million, but his contract is up. He will make less over the next two seasons before becoming a free agent in 2026 — $15.5 million in 2024-25 and $14.15 million in 2025-26.
Dallas Mavericks forward Grant Williams works out against the New Orleans Pelicans during the NBA ,
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Williams, 25, was the Mavericks’ big move last summer when they acquired him in a sign-and-trade with the Boston Celtics. After a hot start to the season, Williams cooled off considerably and ultimately lost his spot in the starting rotation in December. Playing 47 games, including 33 starts, he averaged 8.1 points on 41.3% shooting and 37.6% from deep, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26.4 minutes per game with Dallas.
Williams is in the first year of a four-year, $53.34 million deal. He earns an average annual salary of $13.33 million and becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
In his third stint with the Mavericks, the 33-year-old Curry hasn’t rekindled the spark that made him a fan favorite during his last season in Dallas. Appearing in 36 games, he averaged 4.3 points and 1.4 rebounds in 12.7 minutes on 37.2% shooting. He signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Mavericks in July 2023.
