Mavericks send Anthony Davis to Wizards in 8-player blockbuster deal
The Dallas Mavericks have finalized a blockbuster trade, sending 10-time All-Star big man Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards in an ambitious eight-player deal aimed at enhancing Dallas’ flexibility to build around their star rookie, Cooper Flagg, according to sources cited by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
In this noteworthy transaction, the Mavericks will dispatch Davis along with guards Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum to the Wizards. In return, they will receive seasoned players Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, and Marvin Bagley III, alongside two first-round draft picks and three second-round selections, as reported by sources.
The first-round picks included in the trade consist of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 selection and the Golden State Warriors’ top-20 protected pick in 2030, according to insider information.
The Mavericks had been actively considering options for Davis since the early November dismissal of former general manager Nico Harrison, a decision made by team governor Patrick Dumont partly due to fan dissatisfaction following last year’s controversial trade of perennial MVP candidate Luka Doncic to the Lakers.
The Wizards’ acquisition of Davis comes just a month after they traded for Hawks star Trae Young, who, like Davis, has struggled with injuries. Young has not taken the court since December due to knee and quadriceps ailments.
Davis, who was a key figure in the Doncic trade, has played just 29 games for the Mavs, hindered by various injuries. He is set to earn $58.5 million next season, with a player option for $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season, and he becomes eligible for a contract extension this August. Currently, he has been sidelined since early January due to ligament damage in his left hand.
With this exchange, the Mavericks manage to alleviate the burden of Hardy’s $6 million salary and Russell’s $6 million player option for next season by capitalizing on the expiring contracts of Middleton, Branham, and Bagley.
As noted by ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Mavericks have successfully dropped below the luxury tax threshold this season, reducing their payroll to approximately $150 million in guaranteed figures, thereby creating room for maneuvering in a summer that is likely to include another lottery draft pick.
The Wizards’ acquisition of Davis signals a commitment to competitiveness next season after a prolonged rebuilding phase. As per a team source, Washington prioritized retaining its own valuable draft assets and homegrown young talent – such as Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Bilal Coulibaly, and Tre Johnson – throughout the trade process.
At age 32, Davis is currently averaging 20.1 points and 11.1 rebounds through 20 games this season.
Following last season’s Doncic trade, Harrison expressed confidence in the Mavericks’ championship window being “three to four years” with a roster led by Davis and star guard Kyrie Irving, yet that duo has only shared the court for a single game together.
Davis’ debut with the Mavericks was marred by an adductor strain that kept him sidelined for six weeks, while Irving suffered a torn ACL less than a month later, an injury from which he has not yet returned.
The Mavs’ incredible luck in the draft lottery, which saw them secure the No. 1 pick despite having only a 1.8% chance, allowed the franchise to select the generational talent Cooper Flagg, marking a pivotal shift in focus toward building around him.
Flagg, now 19, has risen to the occasion, averaging 20.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists this season, despite battling through an injury-plagued supporting cast.
As of Wednesday, the Mavericks (19-31) were mired in a five-game losing streak, sitting 12th in the Western Conference and 3.5 games behind the 10th-place Trail Blazers (23-28).
