The Los Angeles Lakers have been urged to reunite Luka Doncic with P.J. Washington, whom the Slovenian played with on the Dallas Mavericks.
Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts made a case for the Lakers — projected to be flush with cap space in 2026 — to sign Washington, who is expected to be a free agent next year.
“The Los Angeles Lakers should target P.J. Washington next summer as the franchise attempts to remake their roster around Luka Doncic,” wrote Watts.
“The 6’7 forward thrived as a starter during the Mavericks’ 2024 run to the NBA Finals, led by the Lakers’ newest superstar. Washington is an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason, and Dallas has Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg locked in at the forward spots. Washington should look to move on and team up with number 77 in LA.”
As the writer alluded to, Washington may get lost in the shuffle in Dallas this upcoming season, on a roster that also includes wings Max Christie, Caleb Martin and Naji Marshall, besides Flagg, Davis, Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford.
An Upgrade Over Rui Hachimura?
With LeBron James expected to depart from Los Angeles in 2026, the Lakers may be a little thin on the forward spot, with Rui Hachimura also expected to become a free agent. As such, Watts argued Washington would be an instant upgrade over Hachimura in a 3-and-D capacity, specifically due to his ability to guard multiple positions.
“The Lakers could slot Washington in as the defender to cover for Luka and Austin Reaves on that end of the floor,” argued Watts. “LA needs both stars to compete on defense and let someone else take on the toughest assignments. Washington did just that for Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Dallas and could play a similar role with the Lakers.”
Doncic, Washington Share Close Bond
During their time together in Dallas, Doncic and Washington developed a close friendship that extended beyond the court.
Shortly after the Mavericks traded Doncic, Washington voiced his public support to the Slovenian. The forward revealed that Doncic reached out to congratulate him after the birth of his son, and that they hung out when he returned to Dallas for an away game.
“I expect him to bring his ‘A’ game,” Washington said ahead of Doncic’s return to Dallas in March 2025, via Christian Clark of The Athletic.
“Knowing just the player he is, the mentality he brings to the game, I know he’s going to be ready as soon as we get out there. But obviously, we can’t wait to compete against him. We miss him. At the end of the day, he’s our brother.”
The Lakers could create up to $60 million in cap space in 2026 if they let all their unrestricted free agents walk. While Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart own player options for the 2026-27 season, Reaves and Hachimura have yet to sign extensions. Many analysts believe the Lakers will reshape the roster to fit Doncic’s strengths next summer, even if that means letting a lot of tenured players walk as free agents.
“Washington is the perfect 3-and-D forward target,” concluded Watts. “He will likely be searching for a new home, and there is no better place than reuniting with Luka Doncic.”
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