The Los Angeles Lakers underwent wholesale roster changes this offseason, but according to recent trade rumors, the front office isn’t done making moves yet, as PJ Washington of the Dallas Mavericks continues to be mentioned as a top target.
A Lakers trade for Washington wouldn’t come easy considering Los Angeles’ limited assets able to give up in a deal, and while also linked to Jonathan Kuminga, Trey Murphy, and a few other names, it looks as though the Lakers are keen on a deal for the big man and former teammate of Luka Doncic.
There have been conflicting recent reports about the Mavericks’ interest in trading Washington, but with the Lakers still heavily mentioned as interested in the high-flier, the team was recently urged to take their time on acquiring his services.
Lakers PJ Washington Trade Rumors Take New Turn
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 10: P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts during the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on March 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
It’s been reported over the past few weeks that Dallas is interested in moving either Washington or Daniel Gafford, and the Lakers remain atop lists of potential landing spots.
However, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, Mavericks’ new President, Masai Ujiri, holds the Lakers’ trade target in high regard. Still, that doesn’t mean he isn’t available or won’t become available later on.
“Ujiri, for the record, is also said to be a fan of P.J. Washington despite the long-held belief among many rival teams that Washington – like fellow Nico Harrison acquisitions Daniel Gafford and Klay Thompson – will remain a trade candidate,” Stein reported on August 3.
Writing for LakeShowLife.com, while Lakers trade rumors have heavily mentioned an interest in Washington, Maxwell Odgen believes Dallas’ reported stance on the forward could be a good thing for Los Angeles.
“Though that doesn’t necessarily mean that Washington won’t be traded, it seems to imply that Dallas is in no rush to move him—meaning Los Angeles can look elsewhere and revisit this discussion down the line,” he wrote. “P.J. Washington could be an ideal fit—but the Lakers need time to evaluate.”
With his four-year, near $90 million contract set to begin this season, the Lakers could go all in and trade for Washington now, but given the team’s current salary cap and overall uncertainty about what this new roster will look like, perhaps not rushing into things could be a smarter move.
“With this in mind, the Lakers’ best path forward is to avoid a trade for Washington until they’re closer to the trade deadline. At that point in time, they’ll have had a chance to scout him further, evaluate how their new players fit, and make an offer out of sheer interest rather than desperation,” Ogden added.
“Los Angeles still needs to identify a starter, but trading for Washington simply isn’t worth the risk at this stage of the building process.”
Rumors Could Be A Bluff, Lakers Still In The Mix
GettyEL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 27: Los Angeles Lakers general manager, Rob Pelinka, smiles as he speaks to the press during Los Angeles Lakers media day at UCLA Health Training Center on September 27, 2019 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
While in one sense Uriji’s reported stance on Washington could mean the Lakers shouldn’t go out and expect a trade to come easy, there’s also a chance Dallas is bluffing, as their wing depth is a bit overloaded, and the former teammate of Doncic could be the odd man out as the Mavericks fully shift into the Cooper Flagg era.
Also writing for LakeShowLife.com, Svyatoslov Rovenchuk believes a Lakers trade for Washington certainly can’t be dismissed by the one report.
“You can be a fan of a guy all you want, but when you have a long list of players who need minutes at Washington’s positions, it is tough to act like a trade is not inevitable,” he wrote. “If the Los Angeles Lakers were to come around on pursuing the former Luka Doncic running mate, Ujiri’s stance of being a fan should be irrelevant.”
Regardless of what’s true and what isn’t, it’s hard to tell how real a Lakers PJ Washington trade is. Still, as his name remains in trade rumors, perhaps patience and smart decision-making could land him in Los Angeles.
“Ujiri has always been a tough negotiator dating back to his days with the Toronto Raptors. The Mavericks president will try his best to take the Lakers for everything he can squeeze out of any potential dealings,” Rovenchuk added. “At the very least, Rob Pelinka should be calling his bluff on the fandom for Washington. That poorly-placed stance should not force any added compensation.”
Washington remains one of several top Lakers trade targets, as after an already busy offseason, Pelinka and the front office don’t look like they are done tinkering with the roster just yet.
Lakers PJ Washington Trade Rumors Take New Turn Over Mavericks Stance