🏀 PJ Washington’s 2026-27 Salary: $19,813,044 with the Dallas Mavericks.
This marks the first year of his current four-year, $88.76 million extension signed in September 2025. The 27-year-old power forward’s compensation represents a significant leap from the $14.15 million he earned in the final year of his previous deal.
| Quick Salary Snapshot | |
|---|---|
| 2026-27 Base Salary | $19,813,044 |
| 2026-27 Cap Hit | $19,813,044 |
| Contract Total | 4 years / $88,762,439 |
| Average Annual Value | $22,190,610 |
| Free Agency | 2030 (UFA) |
| Career Earnings (to date) | ~$64.19 million |
| Total Contract Value (Career) | ~$154.64 million |
PJ Washington Salary in 2026-27
Washington’s $19,813,044 salary for the 2026-27 season accounts for approximately 12.01% of the NBA’s $164.96 million salary cap. His $19.81 million salary makes him one of Dallas’s highest-paid players for the 2026-27 season.
The figure is a 40% increase from his 2025-26 salary of $14.15 million, reflecting the Mavericks’ commitment to securing his services as a core piece of their frontcourt. For context, this annual salary breaks down to roughly $1.65 million per month and $241,623 per regular-season game as a mathematical equivalent.
SalaryInfo Insight: For perspective, the average salary in the US is approximately $65,000 per year, meaning Washington’s annual NBA salary is several hundred times higher than the typical American worker’s annual compensation.
PJ Washington Contract Details
Washington signed a four-year veteran extension with the Dallas Mavericks on September 10, 2025, using the team’s Bird Rights. The contract is fully guaranteed according to the contract data used for this article—meaning every dollar is locked in with no team or player options.
Note on salary figures: Salary databases may differ by a few dollars because of rounding and contract-recording conventions. This article uses Spotrac figures for its contract breakdown.
| Contract Term | Value | Guaranteed | Avg. Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 years | $88,762,439 | $88,762,439 | $22,190,610 |
Key Terms:
- Signing Method: Bird Exception
- Free Agency Status: Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) in 2030
- Cap Hit (2026-27): $19,813,044
PJ Washington Salary by Year
The contract increases by roughly 8% each season, giving Washington progressively higher salaries through 2029-30. This structure gives the player increased earning power while giving the team manageable cap hits in the early years.
| Season | Age | Base Salary | Cap Hit | % of League Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | 28 | $19,813,044 | $19,813,044 | 12.01% |
| 2027-28 | 29 | $21,398,087 | $21,398,087 | 12.35% |
| 2028-29 | 30 | $22,983,132 | $22,983,132 | 12.63% |
| 2029-30 | 31 | $24,568,176 | $24,568,176 | 12.86% |
Source: Spotrac
PJ Washington Career Earnings
Washington’s financial trajectory in the NBA showcases a steady climb from rookie-scale uncertainty to long-term financial security. His career earnings through the 2025-26 season total approximately $64.19 million.
Contract History Breakdown:
| Contract | Years | Value | Average Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rookie Scale (CHA) | 2019-2023 | $12,070,560 | $3.02M |
| Veteran Deal (CHA) | 2023-2026 | $46,500,000 | $15.50M |
| Extension (DAL) | 2026-2030 | $88,762,439 | $22.19M |
Sources: SalarySwish (contract-history cross-check) & Spotrac (primary contract figures)
By the time his current contract expires in 2030, Washington will have accumulated over $154 million in career NBA salary alone—a testament to his development from the 12th overall pick in 2019 to a reliable starter.
PJ Washington Salary History
Washington’s path to his current $19.8 million salary was neither immediate nor guaranteed. His progression reflects how the NBA compensates players who steadily improve rather than break out as immediate stars.
- 2019-20 (Rookie): $3,831,840 – Drafted 12th overall by Charlotte.
- 2020-21: $4,023,600 – Established himself as a rotation player.
- 2021-22: $4,215,120 – Team option exercised.
- 2022-23: $5,808,435 – Team option exercised; became a full-time starter.
- 2023-24: $16,847,826 – Signed his first major veteran contract with Charlotte, later traded to Dallas.
- 2024-25: $15,500,000 – Continued production in Dallas.
- 2025-26: $14,152,174 – Final year of his previous deal before the extension kicked in.
- 2026-27: $19,813,044 – First year of his current four-year, $88.76 million extension.
The jump from $5.8 million to $16.8 million in 2023 is the inflection point in Washington’s career. That veteran deal rewarded him for outplaying his rookie contract, while his current extension reflects his development into an established two-way contributor and his role during Dallas’s 2024 playoff run.
PJ Washington 2025-26 Stats
Washington’s 2025-26 season with the Mavericks demonstrated why the franchise felt comfortable committing $88 million to his services. Despite a shifting team context—Dallas finished 26-56 and 12th in the Western Conference—he remained a consistent two-way contributor.
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Games Played (Starts) | 56 (53) |
| Points Per Game | 14.2 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 7.0 |
| Assists Per Game | 1.8 |
| Steals Per Game | 1.0 |
| Blocks Per Game | 1.1 |
| Field Goal % | 45.0% |
| 3-Point % | 32.5% |
| Free Throw % | 68.7% |
| Minutes Per Game | 31.0 |
Source: Basketball-Reference
Key Takeaway: Washington is one of the few frontcourt players in the league who averages at least one steal and one block per game while playing 30+ minutes. This defensive versatility—combined with his ability to stretch the floor—makes him a valuable archetype in the modern NBA.
How Much Does PJ Washington Make Per Game?
Based on the standard 82-game regular season, Washington’s per-game earnings are a straightforward mathematical calculation:
- Per Game (82 games): $241,623
- Per Month (12 months): $1,651,087
These figures are derived from his base salary and represent simple mathematical equivalents, not the player’s actual game-by-game compensation. NBA salaries are paid over 12 months, and players receive their full contracted amount regardless of minutes played or games started.
PJ Washington Net Worth
Public estimates of Washington’s net worth vary widely, and there is no independently verified public figure for his current net worth. His NBA career earnings are much easier to establish than his personal net worth.
What we know:
- Career earnings (pre-tax): Approximately $64 million through 2025-26
- Current contract value: $88.76 million through 2029-30
- Tax considerations: Playing in Texas means Washington avoids state income tax, which is a significant advantage compared to players in California or New York
What we don’t know:
- His investment portfolio, real estate holdings, or business ventures
- His spending habits, family support obligations, or other liabilities
- The exact impact of agent fees (typically 2.5-4% of salary) and taxes on his take-home pay
Given these unknowns, any net worth estimate should be treated with caution. What is certain is that Washington’s career earnings exceed $64 million, and his current contract guarantees him financial security through his early thirties.
PJ Washington Age, Height, College & Draft
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Paul Jamaine Washington Jr. |
| Age | 27 (Born: August 23, 1998) |
| Height | 6’7″ (2.01 m) |
| Weight | 230 lbs (104 kg) |
| College | Kentucky |
| Draft | 1st Round, 12th Overall (2019, Charlotte Hornets) |
| Experience | 7 Years |
| Agent(s) | Paul Washington (Rep 1 Sports) & Kevin Bradbury (WME) |
PJ Washington Salary FAQs
What is PJ Washington’s salary in 2026?
PJ Washington earns $19,813,044 in the 2026-27 season. He is in the first year of a four-year, $88.76 million extension with the Dallas Mavericks.
How much does PJ Washington make per year on his current contract?
His average annual salary is $22,190,610. The contract increases by roughly 8% each season, rising from $19.81 million in 2026-27 to $24.57 million in 2029-30.
Is PJ Washington’s contract fully guaranteed?
Yes. The entire $88,762,439 is fully guaranteed according to the contract data used for this article. There are no team options, player options, or partial guarantees in the deal.
How much does PJ Washington make per month?
Washington earns approximately $1,651,087 per month based on his $19,813,044 annual salary.
How much does PJ Washington make per game?
Based on an 82-game season, he earns approximately $241,623 per regular-season game as a mathematical equivalent.
What was PJ Washington’s salary before the extension?
He earned $14,152,174 in the 2025-26 season. His current contract represents a 40% increase in first-year salary.
Where did PJ Washington go to college?
He played one season of college basketball at the University of Kentucky before declaring for the 2019 NBA Draft.
Who drafted PJ Washington?
He was drafted 12th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2019 NBA Draft.
How old is PJ Washington?
He is 27 years old as of the 2026-27 season, born on August 23, 1998.
How much is PJ Washington worth?
There is no independently verified public figure for his current net worth. His career earnings through 2025-26 are approximately $64 million, while his current contract is worth $88.76 million through 2029-30.
The Bottom Line
PJ Washington’s $19.8 million salary in 2026-27 reflects a player who has outgrown his rookie-scale origins and earned a significant payday through consistent improvement and playoff-calibre performance. His financial trajectory—from $3.8 million as a rookie to a fully guaranteed $88.76 million deal—illustrates how the NBA compensates versatile, two-way forwards who fit modern systems.
The Dallas Mavericks are currently undergoing a roster transition following a 26-56 season in 2025-26. Washington’s contract remains a valuable and movable asset. Whether he remains in Dallas through the duration of the deal or becomes a trade piece, his financial future is secured, and his earning power is established.
For Washington, the 2026-27 season is less about proving he deserves the money and more about maintaining the production that earned it.]
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📚 Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 and May 2025), Becker’s Hospital Review analysis of BLS data, BLS-derived state data, and industry compensation surveys.
📊 Data Note: All salary data is nominal and not adjusted for inflation unless otherwise noted.