The Dallas Mavericks acquired PJ Washington during the trade deadline to address an earlier oversight. Despite modest statistical figures, Washington has made a significant impact defensively for the team. While plus/minus is often criticized for its limitations, it’s notable that the Mavericks perform notably better with Washington on the court, suggesting his contribution to their defensive prowess.
Statistical analysis reveals that the Mavericks’ defensive rating improves significantly when Washington is in play, dropping by nearly seven points per 100 possessions compared to when he’s benched. Interestingly, possessions last slightly longer with Washington on the court, indicating a slower pace of play, which is beneficial in preventing opponents from scoring quickly, especially in transition—a longstanding weakness for the Mavericks that Washington is helping to address through his defensive effort.
Recent data shows a marked improvement in the Mavericks’ transition defense, conceding fewer fastbreak points per game since Washington’s arrival. This shift is attributed to the energetic defensive efforts of Washington, supported by teammates like Derrick Jones Jr. and Daniel Gafford.
However, Washington’s defensive contributions have been somewhat counterbalanced by his struggles with shooting. Despite the prevalent strategy of defensive wings enhancing their offensive value with corner threes, Washington’s shooting percentage from the corners has declined since joining the Mavericks. Notably, his shooting accuracy is notably lower from the corners compared to above the break.
There’s a glimmer of hope in recent performances, where Washington has shown improvement in his three-point shooting, particularly from above the break. If the Mavericks can capitalize on his strengths by positioning him where he’s most effective, particularly with Doncic’s playmaking abilities, Washington could potentially contribute as much offensively as he does defensively.
