The NBA landscape shifted dramatically on February 4, 2026, as the Dallas Mavericks agreed to trade 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster eight-player deal ahead of the league’s trade deadline, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Davis, who was acquired by Dallas just over a year ago in the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, played in only 29 of the Mavericks’ 83 games this season before being moved to Washington. His tenure in Dallas was plagued by injuries — including strains, contusions and ligament damage — limiting his impact in what was supposed to be a new era for the franchise.
In the deal, the Mavericks are sending Davis alongside guards Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Wizards. In return, Dallas gets a package headlined by Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round draft picks and three second-round selections.
For Dallas, the move represents a strategic reset. The Mavericks shed significant salary and created cap flexibility, dipping below the luxury tax line and opening space to build around their top draft pick, Cooper Flagg. The haul of future draft assets also gives Dallas the ability to accelerate a younger rebuild after a turbulent season that saw multiple key players sidelined.
Meanwhile, the Wizards, who have struggled to competitive relevance with a 13–36 record, are doubling down on star power in hopes of jump-starting their franchise. Washington had already made waves this season by acquiring Trae Young, another high-profile talent dealing with injury issues, and now adds Davis to a young core centered around Alex Sarr and other promising players.
Davis’s short stay in Dallas — just 29 games on the court — underscores the difficulties the Mavericks faced integrating their mega-trade acquisitions and staying healthy. As he heads to Washington, both franchises are betting on new directions: Dallas toward long-term flexibility and youth, and the Wizards on the potential of pairing proven stars with developing talent.
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