PLANO — With Klay Thompson as one of the newest members of the Dallas Mavericks, forward P. J. Washington believes opponents will be in a
“pick their poison” mode.
Especially when Mavs guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are added to the equation.
The combination of Thompson, Doncic and Irving gives the Mavs arguably the most explosive scoring trio the NBA has to offer.
“It’s going to be super tough,” Washington said. “You can’t leave (Thompson). He’s a knock-down shooter, and obviously you’ve got Luka and Kyrie that do what they do.
“It’s only going to help myself and guys around me to be better just playing with guys like that. They’re going to draw all the attention and it’s going to be open shots for everybody.”
The Mavs acquired Thompson from the Golden State Warriors on July 6 in a blockbuster trade involving six teams. One of the most feared three-point shooters in NBA history, Thompson won four championships with the Warriors from 2015-22, and is sixth on the league’s all-time list with 2,481 career three-pointers converted.
Just the chance to play alongside Thompson and chat with him on and off the court has been an inspiration for Washington.
“Obviously, he’s one of the best three-point shooters of all time,” Washington said. “So just to pick his brain about a bunch of different things, I think it’s going to help my 
development in my career and obviously my teammates as well.
“He’s won four (NBA championships), so I think it’s going to be great for us to learn a lot from him.”
On Tuesday, Washington made an appearance at the Mavs Academy Hoop Camp on the campus of Collin College in Plano. While there, he played several games of knock-out with the campers and camp coaches, and also engaged in a question-and-answer session with the campers.
The experience brought back some fond memories for Washington, who grew up in Frisco and used to attend Mavs camps as a youngster.
“Growing up, I went to a bunch of camps,” he said. “I remember seeing guys like (former Mavs guards) J. J. Barea and Jason Terry, and just being able to meet those guys and seeing them at a young age inspired me to keep going and keep pursuing my dreams. I just want to continue to push that on for these kids.”
For Washington, players like Barea and Terry provided a comforting message of hope and encouraged him to dream big. The way Washington saw things as a kid, the bigger
the dream, the bigger the chances of those dreams coming to fruition, adding that he always thought he would one day become an NBA player.
“As a kid you go to camps and they always say that it’s not a lot of people that make it (to the NBA),” Washington said. “But for me, I was the kid like, ‘Well, I’m making it.’
“That’s my only goal in life is to be here. That’s how I look at things, and it obviously got me here.”
Washington’s message to the campers was as simple as his own way of standing on business.
“Keep going and just keep practicing,” he said. “One day you never know what could happen.
“Always have fun with it and don’t let anybody tell you something you can’t do. Always just be true to yourself and keep working hard.”
After he won every game of knock-out Tuesday, Washington noted that he had “a lot of fun. This is my second camp and it’s been all smiles.
“A lot of excitement, and it’s just great seeing kids enjoying themselves.”
With Thompson and his unique skills now in the fold, Washington anticipates the Mavs will totally enjoy themselves next season. The Mavs defied heavy odds last season when they advanced to the NBA Finals where they lost to the Boston Celtics in five games.
Part of the Mavs’ problems against the Celtics is that they only made 18 percent of what are classified as open three-pointers. Thompson, meanwhile, once scored a career-high 60 points on just 11 dribbles. And missing wide-open three-pointers on a consistent basis is not in his DNA.
In essence, Thompson and the Mavs are a match made in basketball heaven – according to Washington.
“Obviously, everybody knows what he brings to the table,” Washington said. “He’s a different player.
“Just him being there is going to work wonders for us. I think he’s excited to be here and excited to contend for a championship.”
For Washington, the excitement started back on Feb. 8 when the Charlotte Hornets traded him and a pair of second-round draft picks to the Mavs for Grant Williams, Seth Curry and
a 2027 first-round draft pick that is top two protected.
In 29 games with the Mavs last season, Washington averaged 11.7 points and 6.2 rebounds, while in the 22-game run throughout the playoffs he averaged 13 points and 6.6 rebounds.
“It’s been great — a dream come true,” Washington said. “Obviously I wish we would have won it, but I think everybody’s excited for next year.
“I’ve been working out a lot and excited to get back in the gym with my guys. And I’m trying to move into my house now.”
As far as adding any new wrinkles to his game this offseason, Washington said he’s working on his ball-handling skills.
Mosty, Washington has been envisioning what Thompson gives the Mavs, and how his Internet-breaking addition has totally energized Mavs Nation while also putting the Mavs in solid position to complete the mission they fell short of against the Celtics.
“I think he brings a lot to our team,” Washington said. “A lot of leadership. Obviously, he’s been at the top of the mountain for a while. So, I think it’s great that he’s on our team, and he gives us some knowledge as well, too.”
X: @DwainPrice
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