Mavericks Trade Anthony Davis to Wizards in Eight-Player Deal
Wizards acquire Anthony Davis in an eight-player trade that sends two first-round and three second-round picks to the Mavericks, a person with knowledge said.
Overview
The Washington Wizards acquired 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks in an eight-player trade that includes two first-round and three second-round draft picks, a person with knowledge of the deal said Wednesday.
The move signals Dallas's pivot away from the Feb. 2, 2025 trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers and helped trigger fan backlash and the November firing of general manager Nico Harrison, franchise records show.
The NBA must approve the transaction before it becomes official, league officials confirmed, and Washington coach Brian Keefe and Mavericks interim co-general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi declined immediate comment.
Dallas will receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham and Marvin Bagley III plus the two first-round and three second-round picks, while Washington will receive guards Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum in addition to Davis, a person with knowledge said.
Anthony Davis has been sidelined since Jan. 8 with a left-hand injury and was not expected to return before the All-Star break, raising immediate questions about his availability for the Wizards this season, the Mavericks said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the deal as a corrective pivot, emphasizing prior missteps: they use evaluative phrases ('widely criticized', 'so heavily criticized') and focus on Harrison's firing, fan anger and Davis's injury history. Quote-driven details (anonymous source confirming the trade) are presented alongside selective statistics to underscore managerial error and franchise reset.
Sources (5)
FAQ
Mavericks receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, a 2026 Thunder first-round pick, a 2030 protected Warriors first-round pick, and second-round picks in 2026 (Phoenix), 2027 (Chicago), and 2029 (Houston). Wizards receive Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum.
The trade is part of Dallas pivoting after the Luka Dončić trade to the Lakers on Feb. 2, 2025, which caused fan backlash and the firing of GM Nico Harrison. It clears over $57-70 million in salary, providing flexibility for the 'Cooper Flagg era' and future moves.
Anthony Davis has been sidelined since Jan. 8 with a left-hand injury and is not expected to return before the All-Star break.
Dallas receives the Thunder's 2026 first-round pick and a 2030 protected first-round pick from the Warriors.
History
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