The Los Angeles Lakers' offseason is off to a shaky start. Not only did they fail to add a center to fill their desperate need, but they also lost a key player in Dorian Finney-Smith. This has raised alarm bells for Lakers fans who are anxiously waiting for GM Rob Pelinka to make the necessary moves to bring the team to contention.
With free agent options quickly dwindling, the Lakers may need to turn to the trade market to replace Finney-Smith. One of the best options they have will be PJ Washington of the Dallas Mavericks.
Lakers Must Pursue PJ Washington on the Trade Market to Replace Dorian Finney-Smith
The Lakers and the Mavericks are not strangers to working together in trades. Pelinka could call his old friend, Nico Harrison, to fill the glaring hole that opened with Finney-Smith's departure. Washington can not only replace the veteran wing's shooting and perimeter defense, but he is also younger, has more upside, and provides more than just three-and-D. He can put the ball on the floor, attack the rim, and score in more ways than Finney-Smith, making him an attractive option around LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Washington is on an expiring contract, set to make $14.1 million in the 2025-26 season. With the arrival of rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks have an abundance of frontcourt options between Daniel Gafford, Flagg, Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Caleb Martin. This makes Washington a very acquirable player.
The Lakers could acquire Washington by combining Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht's salaries and including a future first-round pick. Considering that the Lakers will likely add Deandre Ayton as their starting center in free agency, they could use their draft capital and trade assets on a player like Washington.