DALLAS, TX — After only playing 29 games in Dallas, the Dallas Mavericks have agreed to trade 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. The trade deal is part of an eight-player deal aimed at giving Dallas long-term flexibility as it builds around rookie star Cooper Flagg.
First reported by ESPN, Dallas will send Davis along with guards Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to Washington in exchange for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round draft picks and three second-round picks.
The first-round selections included are the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 pick and the Golden State Warriors’ top-20 protected pick in 2030.
Dallas had been actively exploring the market for Davis since the early November dismissal of former general manager Nico Harrison, a move made amid fan backlash following last season’s trade of franchise star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Davis, the centerpiece of the Doncic return, appeared in just 29 games for the Mavericks due to multiple injuries. The 32-year-old is owed $58.5 million next season, holds a $62.8 million player option for 2027–28 and is eligible for a contract extension in August. He has been sidelined since early January with ligament damage in his left hand and is averaging 20.1 points and 11.1 rebounds this season.
The trade drops Dallas below the luxury tax and trims its guaranteed payroll to roughly $150 million next season, providing increased flexibility as the franchise plans around Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. Flagg, 19, is averaging 20.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
Washington acquired Davis with the intent of becoming competitive next season, according to a team source. The Wizards also added Trae Young earlier this season but have kept their top young core — including Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly and Tre Johnson — intact.
The Mavericks entered Wednesday at 19-31, riding a five-game losing streak and sitting 12th in the Western Conference.
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