The Los Angeles Lakers are still looking for ways to improve their roster for the 2026-27 season. Now a familiar name has come up as a possible target. P.J. Washington has been linked to the Lakers before, but now it seems Luka Doncic is the driving force behind bringing him to LA.
According to Sean Deveney of Heavy.com, Luka Doncic would be in favor of reuniting with former Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington if the Lakers were able to acquire him.
“LA has a need for Washington, who was a teammate of Luka Doncic during the Mavericks’ 2024 run to the NBA Finals. And Doncic, we’re told, would be in favor of a Washington reunion.”
A Proven Fit
Washington and Luka have already played well together. After the Mavericks traded for Washington at the 2024 deadline, he quickly became a key part of Dallas’ lineup during their run to the NBA Finals. He stood out as a two-way forward who could guard different positions and work well with one of the league’s top playmakers.
He can space the floor, finish at the rim, and defend both forwards and smaller players, making him a great fit. Unlike players who need the ball a lot, Washington can make a difference without it. This lets Doncic run the offense while still getting help from Washington’s movement, fast breaks, and defense.
Washington’s numbers went down in the 2025-26 season, but there’s reason to think it was just a rough year, not the start of a decline. His three-point shooting fell from 38.1 percent to 32.5 percent, and his scoring also dropped during a season affected by injuries.
Dallas Dilemma
The timing of this report stands out because of Dallas’ current roster. The Mavericks just gave Naji Marshall a big new contract, which has crowded their frontcourt and led to more talk that another veteran might be traded.
Washington and Thompson are the two players most often mentioned in trade talks as Dallas tries to get its roster in order before the season starts. This doesn’t mean the team is actively trying to trade them, but other teams view both as potential trade targets if the Mavericks want to make changes.
For the Lakers, Washington has many of the qualities they want this offseason. He offers versatility, playoff experience, and strong defense, and he can play well with Luka on offense.
The Biggest Challenge
Even if both sides are interested, making a trade would not be easy. Washington’s contract means the Lakers would have to send out a lot of salary, with players like Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, and Adou Thiero being the most likely to be included.
Draft picks also make the talks harder. The Lakers used most of their draft capital in the Walker Kessler sign-and-trade earlier this offseason. They have few assets left. Reports say Dallas would want real value back for Washington.
It’s also unclear if the Mavericks want to add more rotation players. They seem focused on cutting down their roster, not making it bigger. Because of this, a three-team trade seems more likely than a direct deal between the two Western Conference rivals.
Lakers Continue Exploring Every Option
Right now, this report just shows what Doncic would like, not that trade talks are moving forward. There’s no sign that the Lakers and Mavericks are actually talking about a deal for Washington.
Still, the report gives another look at the kind of team Los Angeles wants to build around its star. The front office seems set on finding versatile two-way players who can help Luka compete deep into the playoffs.
