Mavericks Move Anthony Davis to Wizards

Newly-minted Washington Wizard Anthony Davis is once again part of a blockbuster deal at the NBA trade deadline.

The Washington Wizards have conjured up a 10-time NBA All-Star … and perhaps put an end to the curse following the post-Luka Doncic Dallas Mavericks.

Per Shams Charania of ESPN, Anthony Davis is part of another blockbuster deal at the NBA trade deadline, as he’s the headliner of a swap between Dallas and Washington: Davis will head to the nation’s capital along with Dante Exum, Jaden Hardy, and D’Angelo Russell while North Texas gets back Marvin Bagley III, Malaki Branham, AJ Johnson, Khris Middleton, and five draft picks (two in the first round).

Davis, who turns 33 next month, was previously the main attraction of Dallas’ return in the shocking trade of franchise face Doncic last winter. The deal has put the Mavericks (19-31) in a tailspin and the executive responsible for the deal, general manager Nico Harrison, has since been fired.

Davis never found a groove in Dallas thanks to continued injury issues that have plagued his career, though he has averaged a double-double (20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds) in 20 showings this season. He has not played since Jan. 8 due to an ongoing hand issue.

Though they likely won’t reap in the benefits this season, Washington (13-36) has made an attempt to break out of its rebuild by adding two established, albeit injured, All-Star contributors to their ledgers. The Wizards previously added Trae Young to the fold though he has yet to don his DMV jersey due to ongoing lower-body issues. Formerly of Atlanta, Young is expected to be out through at least the All-Star break later this month.

With this deal, the Mavericks are able to exorcise at least some of the demons from the cursed Doncic deal, as Davis is under contract for the 2026-27 season before a $62.7 million player option kicks in for the year after. ESPN’s Bobby Marks notes that the unload of veteran contracts in the deal drops the Mavericks from both the luxury tax and apron areas as they press forward without Doncic and Harrison. 

Gaining five picks also allows the Mavericks to start building a foundation for the era expected to be headlined by last summer’s top draft choice, Cooper Flagg. This trade clearly signifies the Mavs are going to build around the first-year wunderkind from Duke.

Further intel from Charania indicates that the Mavericks’ new first-round choices will land in 2026 (from Oklahoma City) and 2030 (from  Golden State). 

Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags