Anthony Davis Traded Again: Wizards Land 10-Time All-Star in Blockbuster Deal with Mavericks
Just over a year after the trade that shocked the league-sending Luka Dončić to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to Dallas-the Mavericks are making another seismic move. Anthony Davis is on the move again, this time heading to the Washington Wizards as part of a massive eight-player deal just days ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
This deal isn’t just big-it’s franchise-shifting for both sides.
The Full Trade Breakdown:
Dallas Mavericks receive:
- Khris Middleton
- AJ Johnson
- Malaki Branham
- Marvin Bagley III
- Two first-round picks
- Three second-round picks
Washington Wizards receive:
- Anthony Davis
- Jaden Hardy
- D’Angelo Russell
- Dante Exum
Let’s unpack this.
A New Era in Washington
The Wizards haven’t made the playoffs since the 2020-21 season, but this front office is clearly tired of waiting. With the recent acquisition of Trae Young-still just 27 and already a four-time All-Star-Washington is now doubling down by adding Davis to the mix.
That gives the Wizards a core that includes Young, Davis, and a promising young group featuring Tre Johnson, Alex Sarr, and Kyshawn George. It’s a mix of star power and upside, and while both Young and Davis are currently sidelined with injuries, the long-term vision here is crystal clear: Washington is betting on talent and star synergy to reignite a franchise that’s been stuck in neutral for years.
Davis’ Journey: Still Elite When Healthy
Anthony Davis’ résumé speaks for itself. A college phenom at Kentucky, the 6-foot-11 big man was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and quickly lived up to the hype.
Across stops in New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Dallas, he’s racked up 10 All-Star selections, five All-NBA nods, five All-Defensive Team honors, and three block titles. He was a key piece of the Lakers’ 2020 championship run and earned a spot on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
But the story of Davis’ career has been as much about durability as dominance. Injuries have taken a toll, especially in recent seasons.
This year in Dallas, he managed just 20 games before the trade, but he still put up 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game on over 50% shooting. When he’s right physically, he remains one of the most impactful two-way players in the game.
For Washington, the hope is that pairing Davis with a dynamic playmaker like Young-and surrounding them with young, athletic talent-can form the foundation of a playoff-caliber squad. It won’t happen overnight, especially with both stars currently sidelined, but this is the most ambitious roster-building the Wizards have done in years.
What Dallas Gets: Flexibility and Depth
On the Mavericks’ side, this move is about reshaping the roster around Dončić and giving the team more flexibility moving forward. Khris Middleton brings veteran scoring and championship experience. AJ Johnson and Malaki Branham offer backcourt depth and youth, while Marvin Bagley III is another big with upside if he can stay healthy and carve out a role.
But the real value might be in the draft capital-two first-round picks and three second-rounders give Dallas more tools to keep building. With Dončić still in his prime, the Mavericks are clearly trying to extend their competitive window by adding depth and optionality rather than banking on Davis’ health.
The Bigger Picture
This trade is a gamble for both teams-but the kind of gamble that could reshape futures.
For the Wizards, it’s a bold push toward relevance. They’ve been stockpiling young talent, and now they’ve added two proven stars to accelerate the rebuild. If Davis and Young can get healthy and stay healthy, Washington suddenly becomes one of the most intriguing teams in the East.
For Dallas, it’s about balance. Davis was productive when on the floor, but the Mavericks are choosing a more flexible, long-term approach. Middleton’s experience, along with the young pieces and draft picks, gives them more ways to support Dončić without being tied to Davis’ injury history.
The NBA trade deadline hasn’t even hit yet, and we’ve already got fireworks. If this is the tone-setter, buckle up-February is going to be wild.