The Washington Wizards just made a franchise-altering move-and whether you see it as a bold leap forward or a head-scratching gamble depends on how much faith you have in Anthony Davis staying on the court.
In a blockbuster deal, the Wizards are acquiring 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis, along with Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum from the Dallas Mavericks. Heading to Dallas in return: Khris Middleton, Malaki Branham, AJ Johnson, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks, and three second-rounders.
It’s a trade that raises eyebrows on both sides. Let’s break it down.
Wizards Go All-In on a Davis-Young Core
Washington is clearly leaning into a star-powered rebuild. Pairing Anthony Davis with Trae Young gives the Wizards a dynamic one-two punch-at least on paper.
Davis brings elite two-way talent, rim protection, and offensive versatility. When healthy, he’s still one of the most impactful bigs in the league.
But that “when healthy” caveat looms large. Davis has struggled to stay on the floor consistently, and Washington is betting big that he can anchor their defense and elevate a young, developing roster.
Jaden Hardy and Dante Exum are intriguing depth pieces. Hardy, while undersized for a shooting guard, has flashed scoring potential in spurts.
Exum, after bouncing around the league and overseas, has carved out a role as a steady, defense-first guard. D’Angelo Russell is the wild card-an offense-first guard who’s had moments of brilliance and inconsistency in equal measure.
He’ll likely slot in as a secondary ball handler or sixth man, depending on how the rotation shakes out.
But the real story is Davis. This move signals that Washington isn’t content to sit back and wait for their young core to develop organically. They’re trying to fast-track the process-and that’s a risky but bold choice.
Dallas Clears the Deck for Cooper Flagg
On the Mavericks’ side, this deal looks like a reset. Trading away Davis opens the door for the franchise to build around Cooper Flagg, the highly touted rookie who’s already shown flashes of future stardom. But the return package is… puzzling.
Khris Middleton, once a key piece in Milwaukee’s title run, hasn’t looked like himself in years. He’s shooting just 33% from deep and has struggled to stay healthy.
Marvin Bagley III, the former No. 2 overall pick, is now on his fifth team in eight seasons. His career has been a mix of unmet expectations and inconsistent production.
AJ Johnson is a developmental prospect with upside, but he’s still a question mark at the NBA level.
The draft picks don’t offer immediate value either. One is a 2026 first-rounder from Oklahoma City, a team that’s already loaded and likely to be picking late. The other is a 2030 selection from Golden State, top-20 protected-meaning the Mavericks might not see much return there either, especially if the Warriors continue to reload post-Steph.
It’s clear Dallas wanted to move on from the Anthony Davis era and hand the keys to Flagg, but the return feels more like a collection of spare parts than foundational pieces.
Malaki Branham’s NBA Clock Is Ticking
One of the more intriguing names in the deal is Malaki Branham. The former Spurs guard is now on his third team in four seasons, and his NBA future is hanging in the balance. He got a decent look in Washington-28 games, mostly off the bench-but didn’t do enough to convince the front office to keep him around.
Branham showed promise early in his career, averaging over 20 minutes per game in his first two seasons. But his role has steadily diminished, and he hasn’t cracked double-digit minutes per night in over a season. He’s shooting a respectable 38% from three this year, but that alone doesn’t cover up his struggles on defense and his limited offensive versatility.
Ironically, his final game in a Wizards uniform might’ve been his best-17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-6 from deep. Whether that performance helped push this deal across the finish line is anyone’s guess, but it was a rare bright spot in an otherwise quiet tenure in D.C.
Final Thoughts
This trade is a swing-for-the-fences move for the Wizards. They’re betting that Anthony Davis can stay healthy and form a formidable duo with Trae Young.
If it works, they could become a real threat in the East. If it doesn’t, they’ve mortgaged valuable assets for a short-lived run.
For Dallas, it’s a strategic pivot. They’re clearing the path for Cooper Flagg to take center stage, but the pieces they got back don’t scream “win-now” or “build-later.” It’s a curious middle ground, and time will tell if it pays off.
And for Malaki Branham, this is yet another fresh start-and maybe his last chance to prove he belongs in the league. The clock is ticking, and he’ll need more than a few flashes to stick this time.