Mavericks Trade Anthony Davis to Wizards in Blockbuster Deal
The Mavericks have traded Anthony Davis to the Wizards in a massive eight-player deal, closing a brief, injury-filled era and launching a full rebuild.
Anthony Davis’ short stint with the Dallas Mavericks ends as he is traded to the Washington Wizards. Courtesy of the Dallas Mavericks
On February 4, 2026, the Dallas Mavericks surprised everyone with a big eight-player trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. After a hard year marked by injuries, changes in team management, and a losing season, Dallas is deciding to start over. Washington, on the other hand, is counting on the big names of Davis and Trae Young. This move shows the rest of the NBA that nothing lasts forever.
Trade Details
The Wizards are reportedly receiving Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum. Dallas is given a significant package in return, including Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, and substantial draft capital.
The picks heading to Dallas include a 2026 first-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder, a top-20 protected 2030 first-round pick from the Golden State Warriors, and three second-round picks.
Phoenix’s 2026, Chicago’s 2027, and Houston’s 2029 selections. This return is designed to reset timelines rather than chase immediate contention.
Why Dallas Pulled the Trigger
The Mavericks’ season fell apart, dropping from 19 wins to 31 losses. Injuries, inconsistent play, and losing hope hurt the team. The team’s decision to fire general manager Nico Harrison showed they are ready for big changes. Trading Davis shows that Dallas is choosing to be more flexible and acquire future players or picks rather than trying to fix a season that is already lost.
This move shows the team knows their group of players was never healthy or steady enough to win. Instead of counting on players who often get hurt, Dallas decided to get the best return now and focus on building a team that can win a championship in the future.
Anthony Davis’s Mavericks Tenure
Davis was the central figure in a major trade in which the Los Angeles Lakers sent Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to Dallas in February 2025. At that time, the Mavericks believed that combining an elite two-way big with a restructured roster would enable them to stay competitive.
Instead, Davis’s year in Dallas became a frustrating what-if. During his two seasons, he was constantly sidelined by health issues, playing only 29 games in total. Following previous issues with his adductor, calf, and groin, his latest setback was a hand injury that occurred in January 2026.
During his available time, Davis was efficient, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists this season. The Mavericks never received the sustained stretch they needed to build chemistry or momentum, as availability was more important than efficiency.
What the Wizards Are Getting
Washington is making a statement of intent by acquiring Davis. The Wizards have been in the middle of a rebuild and retool for years, and this move solidifies their position in that process. Davis serves as a focal point on both sides of the court and a player who can elevate his teammates simply by drawing defensive attention.
The risk is obvious. Davis has had a lot of injuries recently, but the Wizards are confident that they can handle his workload better than Dallas did. If they succeed, Washington will suddenly have a star capable of anchoring a playoff push and changing the franchise’s trajectory.
What the Mavericks Gain in Return
Dallas gets more players, more ways to play, and more choices with this deal. Khris Middleton brings experience and can play well on both offense and defense, even if he is not as good as he used to be.
Bagley, Branham, and Johnson are young players with potential, and the draft picks give the Mavericks a chance to add important players or make future trades.
This deal is important because it helps eliminate long-term, big contracts and puts the team in a better position to compete sooner.
League-Wide Implications
This trade affects more than just Dallas and Washington. It raises questions about how long top players can stay at their best, how patient team managers should be, and what it takes to pursue fast wins. The Mavericks are finally ending a rocky time that started with the surprising Doncic trade and never really calmed down. For the Wizards, this risky move could change their standing in the league. For everyone else, it’s another sign that in today’s NBA, a star player can quickly go from being the main focus to being traded away.
<strong>Landon Buford</strong> is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
<p data-start="442" data-end="833">His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.</p>
<p data-start="835" data-end="1171" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.</p>
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
