Dusty May still hasn’t locked down a starting five, but Thursday he confirmed P.J. Washington is in the conversation alongside Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, according to Grant Afseth of Dallas Sports Journal.
Afseth notes Washington started 137 of his 142 regular‑season games since arriving in February 2024, yet May says his value lies more in flexibility and instinct than sheer starter mileage.
“I think as coaches we have a few lineups penciled in,” May explained. “But we’ve learned there’s a lot of inconsistency day‑to‑day because of back‑to‑backs and injuries. I haven’t settled on a final look yet.”
“…But P.J. is definitely in the mix for a start, mainly because he can fill multiple roles,” May added.
May called Washington a “winning player” who “fights for his teammates”—in my view, his leadership will lift the squad—but he still needs to speak up more.
“P.J., we’ve seen a bit of everything from you. You can stretch the floor in a small line or anchor a bigger set. We need your physicality, instincts, and quick thinking on defense. Just raise your voice and share that knowledge with the group,” May said.
Here’s more on the Mavericks:
- May praised 23‑year‑old Max Christie, who posted a career‑high 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists on .441/.404/.899 shooting in 77 games. “He wants to be known as a shooter, and his quick first step and underrated defense make him trend toward a complete player,” May said.
- Lottery pick Morez Johnson Jr. missed early camp time with leg soreness, yet May said the 6’9″ forward is near full strength. Washington called him a “bully” who talks on both ends and works hard daily, predicting a bright future.
- Veteran wing Tarik Biberovic, fresh off a two‑year, $6 MM deal, said he came to Dallas to make an impact, not just to wear an NBA jersey. May notes he’s adjusting to the league’s speed and asks: can his shooting and all‑around game propel the Mavericks this season?