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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 06: Head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks talks to Anthony Davis #3 during their game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on January 06, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Dallas Mavericks made perhaps the biggest mistake in NBA history by trading Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis. It was a trade that no one expected. Since the trade, Doncic has flourished with the Lakers and has signed a contract extension.
Meanwhile, Davis has played in just 29 games for two years with Dallas. That trade cost Nico Harrison his job. For the last few weeks, the Mavericks have been canvassing the league for a trade partner to get rid of Davis and restart a rebuild around Cooper Flagg.
The Mavericks have now made a trade, sending Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards.
GettyDallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis holds the ball. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks Trade Anthony Davis to the Wizards
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Mavericks have traded Anthony Davis to the Wizards. The entire package includes Davis, D’Angelo Russell, Jaden Hardy, and Dante Exum to Washington in exchange for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, and Marvin Bagley III.
Washington is also sending two first-round picks and three second-round picks to Dallas. The first-round picks are a Thunder 2026 pick and a Warriors 2030 protected pick. It is a lot of moving parts that see the Mavericks end the Davis experiment just over a year after it began.
With this trade finished, the Mavericks are officially rebuilding. Flagg is now the franchise player whom they must build around. Any player who is on the roster for the next few years has to fit well next to Flagg. It’s hard to say how many of these Wizards players fit that bill.
Johnson and Branham might have a shot to stay with Dallas. Middleton is a shell of himself. Bagley was never able to be a reliable player at any stop he’s made. Dallas is getting two first-round picks that might not end up netting them a superstar.
GettyDallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis dribbles the ball. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Mavericks Officially End Anthony Davis era
Davis was never able to flourish in Dallas because of a multitude of injuries. Now, he is paired with Trae Young in Washington. The two stars now get a chance to start over in a new place to try to revitalize what made them both special. As for Dallas, they have to rebuild trust with the fan base.
Flagg already looks like an All-NBA talent. He is the best player the team has, even when Kyrie Irving returns. He is going to take time to develop into a superstar, though. In three years, the Mavericks might be ready to compete in the playoffs again.
Keeping Davis was never going to net them the return they wanted in the summer. It was best for them to make sure he was somewhere else for the rest of the season. Dallas doesn’t have a shot to make the playoffs now that Davis is in Washington, however.
That might be the best thing for them moving forward. Dallas can get another potential superstar in what is a loaded 2026 NBA Draft.