Washington: The Dallas Mavericks have traded 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards in a major eight-player blockbuster, signaling a clear shift toward roster flexibility and a long-term rebuild around rookie star Cooper Flagg.
Under the agreement, Dallas will send Davis along with guards Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to Washington. In return, the Mavericks receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round draft picks and three second-round selections, sources told ESPN.
The first-round picks include Oklahoma City’s 2026 selection and Golden State’s top-20-protected pick in 2030.
Davis, 32, struggled to stay healthy during his short stint in Dallas, appearing in just 29 games because of multiple injuries. He has been sidelined since early January with ligament damage in his left hand. The veteran big man is owed $58.5 million next season and holds a $62.8 million player option for the 2027–28 campaign.
The move allows Dallas to fall below the luxury tax this season while opening significant cap flexibility going forward.
According to ESPN, the Mavericks now project to have roughly $150 million in guaranteed salary next season, positioning the franchise to be active in an offseason where it is expected to add another lottery pick.
The trade also marks the final unraveling of Dallas’ post–Luka Dončić era plan. After last season’s controversial deal that sent Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavericks envisioned a championship window led by Davis and Kyrie Irving. However, injuries limited the duo to just one game together, with Irving still recovering from a torn ACL.
The franchise’s outlook shifted dramatically after winning the No. 1 pick in the draft despite just a 1.8% chance, allowing Dallas to select Flagg. The 19-year-old has lived up to the hype, averaging 20.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his rookie season.
For Washington, the acquisition of Davis reflects a bold push to accelerate its rebuild. The Wizards have already added Trae Young this season, though the star guard has yet to play due to knee and quadriceps injuries. Team sources said Washington was determined to keep its top young core — including Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly and Kyshawn George — intact while adding proven star power.
Davis is averaging 20.1 points and 11.1 rebounds this season and is expected to be a central figure in Washington’s plans once healthy.
Source: ESPN, NBA
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