P.J. Washington's 'super confident' response to ongoing Mavericks trade rumors originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. P.J. Washington has heard his name linked to trade talks throughout the summer, including a reported proposal involving Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers. Yet the Dallas Mavericks forward remains firmly convinced his future belongs in Dallas. During a recent interview, Washington offered a confident response when asked about opening the season with the Mavericks. His stance adds more perspective to an offseason filled with roster changes, contract developments, and constant speculation surrounding his place in the team’s long-term plans. P.J. Washington addresses ongoing trade speculation with clear confidence Washington has been floated in trade scenarios for months, most notably in talks that would have sent him to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of a package for Kawhi Leonard. None of it has materialized, and Washington sounds unbothered by the noise. Asked directly by DLLS Mavs' Kevin Gray in an interview how confident he is about opening the season in Dallas, Washington didn't hesitate. “Super confident,” Washington said. “I've had long talks with Masai, our GM, and the whole team. I'm super confident I'll be a Maverick. This is where I want to be. I'm super excited to be here and can't wait to get things going.” He was referring to Masai Ujiri, who took over as the franchise's president of basketball operations earlier this year. Washington added that he tries to tune out the rumors entirely, saying he knows being a productive player draws interest from other teams but that he loves the organization, his teammates, and where he currently stands in Dallas. He has good reason to feel secure. Washington helped anchor Dallas' run to the 2024 NBA Finals, and he remains one of the more experienced frontcourt pieces on a roster now built around 2026 Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. P.J. Washington extension adds complexity to potential trade scenarios Washington's contract situation adds another layer to the speculation. Dallas and the Clippers discussed sending Washington, Klay Thompson, and draft picks to Los Angeles for Leonard this offseason, talks that stalled without a deal. Separately, media has also covered speculation about a possible reunion between Washington and former teammate Luka Doncic in Los Angeles. However, his four-year, $88.8 million extension makes any move financially complicated for a trade partner. Dallas has already retained most of its core pieces this offseason, re-signing Kyrie Irving and Daniel Gafford to new deals alongside Washington's extension. For now, Washington remains part of a crowded but talented frontcourt in Dallas, and how May chooses to use that depth will say more about his future with the team than any trade rumor has this summer. More NBA News:
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