May Auditions Washington Alongside Flagg and Irving as Mavs Settle Rotation

Dusty May is still assembling the Mavericks' opening rotation, and Thursday's comments signal that P.J. Washington has earned consideration for a starting spot alongside Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving. The forward's ability to defend across positional boundaries and space the floor—critical attributes in a perimeter-heavy offense built around Irving's shot creation—makes him an obvious candidate when May finalizes his first five.

Washington has started 137 of his 142 regular season appearances, a consistency metric that underscores both his durability and his standing within the franchise. For a team still finding its identity two weeks before the regular season tips off, that track record offers May a stable building block while the rest of the lineup sorts itself out. The Mavericks' frontcourt depth allows experimentation; Washington's versatility—capable of guarding wings and bigs while chipping in from distance—provides the kind of positional fluidity May has emphasized during the preseason.

From a prop perspective, Washington's path to minutes carries direct implications for his scoring and rebound volume. If he indeed starts, his usage rate should expand in direct proportion to Irving's playmaking load. The Mavs' offense runs through Irving's pick-and-roll; when Irving has multiple shooting threats available (Flagg, Washington), his assist-to-turnover ratio improves measurably, and the spacing allows Washington to operate in cleaner shooting spots. Early-season preseason data suggests Washington shot above his season average from three—a sample-size caveat, but one that tracks with May's system.

The betting angle hinges on whether the market has priced Washington's ceiling correctly. If he starts and Irving settles into rhythm within the first week, Washington's points and rebounds totals (typically 10.5–12.5 and 5.5–6.5 before tonight) will face immediate pressure upward. The information advantage is timing: May's uncertainty is the market's uncertainty, and linemakers are likely to price Washington conservatively until the starting lineup is confirmed. Take overs on both his scoring and rebound props if the Mavs officially name him to the opening rotation; the edge exists in the lag between May's on-court decision and the sportsbooks' adjustment, not in a season-long shift in production.

The risk is real if Flagg's usage forces Washington into a reserve role. Preseason minutes don't always predict October depth charts, and a crowded wing rotation could cap his ceiling. Monitor the first two games closely; if Washington starts both and logs 28+ minutes, the edge widens. If he's benched or limited to spot duty, fade the overs and reset.