NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Hesitant to Acquire PJ Washington Amid Contract Concerns The Los Angeles Lakers have officially added Sandro Mamukelashvili, Quentin Grimes, Walker Kessler, and Jaden Hardy to their roster, with Collin Sexton and Kevon Looney still pending official decisions. Despite these additions, the team remains focused on addressing its need for a starting-caliber forward. Among the names frequently mentioned in trade discussions is Dallas Mavericks forward PJ Washington, a former teammate of Luka Doncic. Washington’s potential fit as a power forward next to Doncic has drawn interest, but his four-year, $88.8 million contract has raised concerns for the Lakers, according to Khobi Price of The California Post. Price noted that the Lakers have long been linked to Washington, but the fully guaranteed nature of his remaining contract is a significant deterrent. The Mavericks, while facing a surplus of forwards, have not shown clear eagerness to trade Washington. His 2026-27 salary of $19.3 million means the Lakers would need to offset at least $11.8 million in salary to make a legal trade match. Potential options include Jarred Vanderbilt alone or the combined salaries of Hardy and Jake LaRavia. However, the Lakers’ reluctance to take on Washington’s contract persists, even as they evaluate their existing four-year deals for Kessler, Austin Reaves, Grimes, and Mamukelashvili. The Lakers view these contracts as fair market value, potentially making them tradeable in the future if needed. Washington’s contract, however, could prove difficult to move if he fails to improve his performance with the team. With the forward position remaining a priority, the Lakers may consider Washington their best option if trade talks with Jonathan Kuminga stall.#luka_doncic #los_angeles_lakers #dallas_mavericks #pj_washington #khobi_price
