Mavericks sign P.J. Washington Jr. to extension, bring back Dante Exum

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks have signed forward P.J. Washington Jr. to a contract extension and are also bringing back guard Dante Exum in moves that should finalize the roster for 2025-26.

The Mavericks announced the deal for Washington on Thursday. A person with knowledge of the extension said the deal was worth $89 million (C$123 million) over four years. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because terms weren’t released.

Washington has been a valuable role player since joining the Mavericks in a deal before the trade deadline in 2024. Dallas went to the NBA Finals four months later.

Where Washington fits in the lineup will be an interesting question with the addition of No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. Washington has played small forward, which seems to be the best fit for Flagg as well.

Both could play alongside Kyrie Irving when the star point guard returns from a torn ACL. Irving is expected to miss the start of the season, and it’s unclear when he’ll be ready to return.

Exum will be among the options at point guard until Irving returns, and part of the depth if the 11-year veteran stays healthy. The 30-year-old, who was the fifth overall pick in the 2014 draft out of Australia, has missed significant time with injuries each of his two seasons in Dallas.

The Mavericks made room for Exum on the roster by waiving Olivier-Maxence Prosper, a first-round pick two years ago.