CHARLOTTE, N.C. – P.J. Washington couldn’t wait for the Dallas Mavericks to arrive at their team hotel in Charlotte on Monday afternoon.
“Coming back (Monday), I went straight home,” Washington said. “I got to see my kids, I got to see the family.
“So, it was great to be in the home setting and just having a good night at home.”
Washington was in his fifth season playing for the Charlotte Hornets when they traded him to the Mavericks on Feb. 8. It was a good news bad news trade for Washington in that he left the franchise that drafted him for a chance to return home where he played his high school ball in Frisco.
“It’s a little weird being in this building and being on the opposing side,” Washington said. “But I think it’s cool and I’m glad to be here and happy to see a lot of friendly faces, so it feels good.”
Washington said he had a lot of different emotions once he was traded to the Mavs.
“I’m excited for my career, but also sad at the same time,” he said. “Obviously, leaving the city that drafted me.
“I spent a lot of time here. Just mixed emotions, but I’m excited both sides are doing well.”
On the court Tuesday, Washington didn’t fare very well as he finished with just one point — he did have seven rebounds — and was 0-of-7 from the field with three turnovers.
“We tried to get P.J. going there, but sometimes when you come home there’s nerves and distractions,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. “I thought he still played on the defensive end. His smile was still there.”
Hornets coach Steve Clifford was excited to see Washington again and knows he will be a great addition for the Mavs.
“(He’s a) really high character guy, family guy, great with his kids, great dad,” Clifford said. “(He’s a) very smart player on both ends of the floor.
“I think he’s the kind of guy that when you’re watching the film at night, he does all the little things. Whatever you ask him. He’s into the details.”
Clifford was very fond of Washington during his time with the Hornets.
“I watched the game (last Friday) night (against Golden State) when he had 32 (points) when Luka (Dončić) didn’t play,” Clifford said. “He’s going to have games like that.
“I think he’s trying to fit in — watching him play. He’s a very good player and he’s a very good person.”
Kidd has benefitted handsomely from the acquisition of Washington, who has the skills to be just as big of a factor on defense as he can be on offense.
“When you talk about the trade with P.J., just first the ability to play both sides — offense and defense,” Kidd said. “You can see when one of the guys – Luka or (Kyrie Irving) is out — he has stepped up for us. He has given us the offensive spark.
“But I think when you look at the defensive end, he’s been able to guard (point guards) through (centers). He’s helped us here since March 7 being the No. 1 defensive team in the league, and he’s a pro.”
The Hornets showed how much they valued Washington by showing a video tribute in his honor during the first timeout of Tuesday’s game. Washington described it as a surreal moment.
In addition, Washington is in the midst of learning the ropes with the Mavs and is hopeful of making a long run in the playoffs this season.
“For me, just being able to (have) an impact defensively, I feel like I’ve done pretty good in that area, whether it’s guarding the ball, guarding bigs and guarding wings as well,” he said. “I’m just trying to be versatile in that area.”
The Mavs have no qualms about the production they’ve gotten from Washington.
“He comes to work every day,” Kidd said. “He never complains. He’s one of the few that runs out, when he comes out of the game, he gives you a high five.
“And that’s just a character thing that he has. He’s about the team and he just wants to win.”
BRIEFLY: A photo that has been widely discussed shows a picture of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving embracing after Sunday’s dramatic 147-136 overtime win over the Houston Rockets. It basically depicts how close the two Mavs superstar guards have become. It also came after Dante Exum drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to send Sunday’s game into overtime. “I think it’s elite right now when you talk about the chemistry – iconic,” coach Jason Kidd said. “Luka and Kai embracing after the game, and then you have the rest of the team embracing and celebrating the win – a big win. A team win. But also before that, the celebration of Dante making a big three. Luka trusting Dante. A lot of times Luka is able to take that shot and make that shot. Even if he misses the shot we felt that the right person has the ball. The chemistry is at a high, the belief and the trust is at a high, and it’s a beautiful thing to watch right now.” . . . A video tribute of Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford was shown on the video board prior to Tuesday’s game. Clifford announced last week that he is stepping down as the Hornets’ coach to take on another role within the organization. Clifford, the Hornets’ all-time winningest coach with a 242-329 record, was presented with a jersey in a plaque prior to the game . . . That 12-for-12 showing from the field by Daniel Gafford during Tuesday’s 130-104 win over the Hornets were the most field goals made without a miss by a member of the Mavs in franchise history. The previous record was held by Brandan Wright, who went 10-for-10 from the floor against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 4, 2014 . . . In analyzing the Feb. 8 trade that sent Grant Williams, Seth Curry and a 2027 first-round pick to Charlotte for P.J. Washington and a pair of second-round picks, coach Jason Kidd said: “When you look at the trade, it’s a win-win. Grant’s doing an incredible job here (in Charlotte) when you look at playing the (center position) or playing whatever position they’ve asked him to play. He’s shooting the ball, he’s making decisions, he’s posting up, he’s guarding the (power forwards and centers) on the other end. I think he’s done an incredible job since the trade since being here.” . . . Mavs center Dereck Lively II (right knee sprain) and guard Josh Green (right ankle sprain) did not play Tuesday.
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