Mavericks' P.J. Washington blockbuster trade just shifted even more in their favor

The Dallas Mavericks are 5-1 in their past six games, a difference from the beginning of November, when the team went 2-5. The Mavs suffered a crucial four-game losing streak as they battled injuries and heartbreaking losses in the clutch.

One reason for the turnaround was the progression of the Mavericks' bench. The backup unit struggled to find a consistent leader as multiple players struggled to take over games early on in the season. The bench has responded well, helping the team overcome past struggles. Against the Atlanta Hawks, the Mavs' bench unit scored 39 points to help get Dallas back on track.

Naji Marshall has been a massive part of the Mavs' bench success. Marshall has been surging in November. He averaged 3.2 points per game in October while shooting 28.6 percent from the field. His numbers leaped this month, averaging 14.5 points per game, and shooting 59.4 percent overall. He is quietly silencing critics who judged his early struggles.

Washington's dominance, Williams' injury swing trade in Dallas' favor

Along with the bench, P.J. Washington has played a key role in helping the Mavs get back to winning. Since his return from injury, the Mavericks have gone 5-1 with their only loss being a narrow defeat to the Miami Heat in overtime. The team had gone 1-4 during his injury absence. Washington has averaged 14.2 points and 1.5 steals per game and shot 45.3 percent overall since his return.

Dallas traded for Washington back in February. He was a player Dallas had been linked to during the trade deadline, as Mavs fans had been in favor of the forward. He solved the team's thin frontcourt as he could guard various positions and stretch the floor. Washington added size and versatility, as he was a forward who could handle the ball well.

Before Washington's arrival, Grant Williams was the Mavs' starting power forward. He was expected to do the things Washington has done in Dallas. However, Williams wasn't ready for the workload Dallas expected from him. He also struggled to meet the team's demands, as he came into training camp out of shape and failed to connect personally with the team.

Despite his hot start, Williams wasn't playing at the level that the Mavs needed out of him, so they moved on.

The trade has seemed to work for both sides. Williams seems comfortable for Charlotte, as he has switched between the power forward and center spot. Williams' season took a hit this week though when he suffered a torn ACL after a drive to the basket. This is a huge blow for the Hornets as they are already thin upfront. Williams suffering this injury and being out for the year shifted this trade even more in Dallas' favor, as players who tear their ACLs oftentimes struggle to replicate the production they output before the injury.

On the other end, Washington returned from a right knee sprain. The sprain caused him to miss the most games he ever has since arriving in Dallas as he had been consistently healthy. His absence demonstrated how much the team relied on him. Since the trade, Washington has had no trouble contributing to the team. He plays well on both ends of the ball and can get hot from long range.

His health and production are what separate him from Williams. Washington has only come off the bench twice since coming to Dallas. He has done a good job fighting through adversity, shooting slumps, and bouncing back for the team. Washington also played a vital role in helping Dallas advance to the NBA Finals. His playoff production allowed the Mavs to reach new heights.

Washington has been the perfect complimentary piece to pair alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and he will look to continue his dominant play when the Dallas Mavericks take on the New York Knicks tonight.