NBA Notes: Mavericks, P.J. Washington, Suns, Oso Ighodaro, Thunder

Mavericks

P.J. Washington has heard the trade talk. He also says Mavericks president Masai Ujiri told him something quite different.

“He told me I wasn’t going to get traded, and if I was, he would tell me,” Washington said in an interview with DLLS earlier this summer, as recently highlighted by Austin Veazey of Mavericks On SI. Washington said Ujiri values his size, versatility and ability to play at both ends.

That was reassuring for Washington. It also came before the latest report that rival teams expect Dallas to listen to offers. Both things can be true. Ujiri can want Washington on the Mavericks, and other teams can keep calling about him. One day the calls may even get interesting.

Suns

Oso Ighodaro got the start at center in the Suns’ preseason opener against the Pistons, coach Jordan Ott said, via Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.

Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach are competing for the job while Mark Williams recovers from a torn labrum. Ighodaro has the experience edge after starting 24 regular-season games and all four Phoenix playoff games last season. Maluach brings a different look around the rim.

Ott has said he expects to choose a regular-season starter only a few days before the opener. So Ighodaro’s assignment Monday was a chance to make his case, not a final decision.

Thunder

CBS Sports ranked the Thunder’s projected starting five second, behind the champion Knicks. Reasonable enough. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren make for a pretty good opening argument.

But Grayson Buchanan of Thunder On SI makes a fair point: Oklahoma City’s strength goes beyond the five players introduced before tipoff. Cason Wallace could step into Lu Dort’s starting spot, while Ajay Mitchell, Alex Caruso and others give coach Mark Daigneault options once the game starts.

Second on a preseason list won’t bother the Thunder. They’d probably prefer to be first when the games are over.