Mavs beat writer addresses P.J. Washington extension, roster questions

Active, but not volatile, is the best way to describe the Dallas Mavericks’ offseason.

There weren’t any blockbuster trades this summer like last year’s acquisition of Klay Thompson. Instead, the Mavericks took care of a few housekeeping items by extending Kyrie Irving and Daniel Gafford to three-year contract extensions, while signing another veteran guard in D’Angelo Russell.

Dallas’ front office brass also got a chance to evaluate a few of their promising young players, including No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg and two-way guards Ryan Nembhard and Miles Kelly.

It’s a good time for another mailbag now that the Las Vegas Summer League is over and most of the legwork has been completed with free agency.

Mavericks

Question: Where is Kessler [Edwards] headed? – @drLhutchins

Mike Curtis: Those familiar with Kessler Edwards know he’s a 6-7 forward who spent most of the season post-Luka Doncic trade playing small-ball center for the shorthanded Mavericks while Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II were sidelined with injuries.

He spent last season on a two-way contract and exhausted his allotment of 50 games on the team’s active list well before the regular season ended. It would make sense to use the team’s final two-way spot on Edwards because of his versatility on the wing. However, that won’t be possible since he’s not eligible for another two-way contract because he just finished his fourth NBA season. Players cannot sign two-way deals once they reach Year 5. Therefore, Dallas would have to free up a roster spot to retain Edwards, which is expected to happen to re-sign veteran guard Dante Exum. Edwards could find himself on another NBA roster, but he would have to sign a standard contract.

Edwards attended the end of a post-Summer League practice with several veteran Mavericks, including P.J. Washington, Max Christie, Jaden Hardy and Dwight Powell. It’s not surprising, given his recent relationship with the organization, but it’s definitely interesting.

Q: We have 16 players right now? How many moves are we going to make before the season opener? I would love Dean Wade on this roster to bring shooting, and maybe Kai Jones as well. – @Adpoyguy

Curtis: The Mavericks have 16 standard contracts: Irving, Davis, Washington, Lively, Gafford, Flagg, Russell, Christie, Hardy, Powell, Thompson, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin, Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Brandon Williams, along with the expected re-signing of Exum.

That number needs to be trimmed to 15 by the start of the regular season, so the Mavericks will need to release one player or trade two players for one contract to meet the NBA’s maximum.

Q: Are they extending P.J. [Washington]? – @LUK3K0RN3T

Curtis: Great question. That’s one of the final actionable items on the Mavericks’ offseason to-do list, outside of a secondary move to re-sign Exum [which we’ll discuss more later]. Washington will be eligible to sign an extension with the Mavericks on Aug. 29. He can choose to accept an extension from Dallas if it’s offered or wait until he’s an unrestricted free agent next summer. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon recently reported that he anticipates Washington will sign an extension next month at a number that he will be very tradeable on. Washington could sign an extension that aligns contractually with Irving, Gafford and Davis’ three-year deals. The 6-7 forward will be entering his seventh season fresh off averages of 14.7 points, a career-high 7.8 rebounds and 38% shooting from beyond the arc, proving himself as one of the team’s most versatile players. Time will tell if Washington signs, but the question should be answered within the next month or so.

Q: Is Kai Jones still in the mix? Love the way he played last season. – @JWho19

Curtis: Jones should be in the same boat as Edwards since they both entered the NBA in 2021. However, the athletic big man missed the 2023-24 season and will enter his fourth season next year. He remains eligible for a two-way contract, but the Mavericks have a plethora of big men and arguably the most formidable frontcourt in the league. With Powell exercising his player option, it would be surprising if the Mavericks carried five players capable of playing the center position on the roster by the start of training camp.

Q: What are your thoughts on the plan to open up a roster spot for [Dante] Exum? – @harr61042

Curtis: Exum agreed to a one-year contract to return to the Mavericks on July 2, giving Dallas two veteran point guards to man the fort while Irving is sidelined for the majority of next season. However, there isn’t enough room for the Mavericks to sign Exum outright, which means an additional move is likely coming before the start of the regular season. A trade or the release of a player around the margins will need to occur for the Mavericks to remain below the salary cap’s second apron after re-signing Exum. All signs point to the exploration of a trade involving Prosper, Hardy or the waiving of Williams, who is on a non-guaranteed contract.

I understand the plan to prioritize Exum, an experienced guard who can initiate the offense and spread the floor with his 3-point shooting. Despite appearing in just 20 games last season because of a fractured wrist and broken hand, Exum averaged 8.7 points and 2.8 assists on 43% shooting from beyond the arc. When healthy, Exum also serves as a formidable perimeter defender due to his length.

X/Twitter: @MikeACurtis2

Life goes on for Luka: Ex-Maverick’s motivated offseason should make Nico Harrison nervous