Washington was selected by the Lakers with the 5th overall pick in the 1973 NBA Draft after a decorated college career at American University.  A 1st Team All American as a senior at AU, Washington led the nation in rebounding at 20.4 per game while averaging 20.8 points (only the 7th player average 20/20).  A raw rookie from a small school, he struggled to get into the Lakers rotation, averaging just 3.8 points and 8.9 minutes in 45 games during the 1973-74 season.

After two years of similar output, Washington rededicated himself and spent the summer of 1976 working out with legendary coach and former Lakers GM Pete Newell.  His improvement was dramatic. Acting as an enforcer and body guard for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Washington became the Lakers primary power forward, scoring 9.7 points and hauling in 9.3 rebounds before a knee injury ended his season after 53 games.  He recovered in time for the 1977-78 campaign and picked up where he left off, upping his scoring output to 11.5 and rebounding to 11.2 through 25 games. 

Then on December 9, 1977 everything came crashing down.  While scuffling with Rockets center Kevin Kunnert early in the second half, Washington sensed someone coming up behind him, turned around and landed a punch squarely onto the oncoming player's face. The victim of course, was Rockets All Star Rudy Tomjanovich.  The punch damaged Tomjanovich’s face so severely he tasted spinal fluid.  He would miss the remainder of the season.  Washington was ejected from the game and eventually fined $10,000 and suspended 60 days without pay by Commissioner Larry O’Brien.  His tenure with the Lakers was over. On December 27, the still suspended Washington was dealt to Boston with Don Chaney for Charlie Scott and a 1st round pick.

Washington joined the Celtics following his suspension in February.  Despite the layoff and having to adjust to a new team for the first time, his production remained consistent (11.8 points/10.5 rebounds).  A free agent following the season, Washington resigned with Boston hoping to spend the next four seasons with the Celtics.  It didn’t happen thanks to maybe the most bizarre transaction in major American sports history. 

Celtics owner Irv Levin liked owning an NBA team, but preferred one in California.  Knowing he couldn’t move the Celtics, he cut a deal with Buffalo Braves owner John Y. Brown, Jr.  The two would swap teams with Levin moving the Braves to San Diego and renaming them the Clippers.  As part of the transaction Washington was sent to San Diego along with the newly signed Kevin Kunnert, Sidney Wicks and Freeman Williams for Tiny Archibald, Marvin Barnes, Billy Knight and two draft picks.

Washington showed his adaptability again, quickly blending into the remade franchise and producing on the court, averaging 11.3 points and 9.8 boards.  After a slow start, the Clippers finished a respectable 40-42 and seemed to be a team on the rise.  Yearning for some star power, Levin then signed injury riddled, All Star center Bill Walton.  Thanks to the league’s backward free agent process at the time, the losing team – Portland in this case – was entitled to compensation from the gaining team at the discretion of the commissioner.  O’Brien awarded the Trailblazers Washington, Kunnert, Randy Smith and a draft pick to complete the deal.

Joining his fourth team in three seasons, Washington found some stability with the Blazers. Playing in all 82 games, he had his best season in 1979-80, posting a career high in points – 13.4 – while averaging 10.5 rebounds and earning his first (and only) All Star selection.  His production dipped a bit in 1980-81 (11.4 points and 9.4 rebounds in 73 games), but he remained a key contributor.  By the following season however, his back and knees were causing him too much pain to continue and Washington decided to call it quits in January 1982 after appearing in 20 games.

Washington remained in great shape during the ensuing years, and frequently entertained thoughts of a comeback.  Finally in 1987, he decided to give it a go with Golden State after a five year layoff.  It didn’t last long.  Unable to practice or play extended minutes, the struggling Warriors found no reason to keep a 36-year-old journeyman on their roster at the expense of a young player.  Washington appeared in just 6 games before being released on November 25.