Mavs Trade Anthony Davis to Wizards: Details of 8-Player Deal & Draft Picks
- The Dallas Mavericks dramatically reshaped their roster today, February 5, 2026, by trading All-Star forward Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards in an expansive eight-player deal.
- In exchange for Davis, the Mavericks will receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round draft picks, and three second-round draft picks.
- The trade effectively addresses the Mavericks’ financial concerns, shedding approximately $70 million from their payroll for the upcoming season.
The Dallas Mavericks dramatically reshaped their roster today, , by trading All-Star forward Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards in an expansive eight-player deal. The move, reported by multiple sources, signals a significant shift in direction for the Mavericks and adds a cornerstone piece to a rebuilding Wizards team.
In exchange for Davis, the Mavericks will receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round draft picks, and three second-round draft picks. Adding further value to the package, Dallas also acquires the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first-round pick and the Golden State Warriors’ protected first-round pick, along with additional second-round selections from the Phoenix Suns (), Chicago Bulls (), and Houston Rockets ().
The trade effectively addresses the Mavericks’ financial concerns, shedding approximately $70 million from their payroll for the upcoming season. According to reports, the move also allows Dallas to fall below both the luxury tax and the NBA’s two apron thresholds, providing greater flexibility in future roster management.
Davis, a 10-time All-Star, is currently sidelined with damaged hand ligaments, expected to miss at least six weeks, though he avoided surgery. He is under contract through the season and holds a player option for an additional $62.8 million for the season. He will become eligible to sign a four-year, $275 million max contract extension on .
The Wizards, meanwhile, are rapidly assembling a young and potentially dynamic roster. The acquisition of Davis follows their earlier trade for Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks in January. Washington now boasts a core featuring Young, Davis, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, and Bilal Coulibaly. While currently second-to-last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 13-36, the Wizards are positioning themselves for future success, potentially adding another high-potential prospect through the draft, as their first-round pick is top-eight protected.
For the Mavericks, the trade represents a calculated move to improve their long-term financial health and acquire draft capital. Included in the outgoing players alongside Davis are Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum. Hardy, 23, has shown flashes of scoring potential but struggled to secure a consistent role in the rotation during his four seasons with the team. Russell joined Dallas last summer on a two-year contract and is currently averaging career lows in both points (10.2 per game) and three-point shooting percentage (29.5%). Exum’s season was cut short by a knee injury requiring surgery, and he is set to become a free agent in the offseason.
Middleton, Branham, and Bagley are all on expiring contracts, offering the Mavericks flexibility in the coming offseason. Johnson, a first-round pick in , has seen limited action for the Wizards this season, averaging 2.8 points in 8.6 minutes over 25 games.
The fallout from this trade is directly linked to the earlier situation surrounding Luka Dončić, though details of that prior deal were not provided. The Mavericks clearly felt the need to recalibrate their roster and financial situation following that previous transaction, leading to the decision to move Davis.
Davis’s departure leaves a significant void in the Mavericks’ lineup, as he was averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 1.1 steals in 20 appearances this season. However, the influx of draft picks and the financial relief gained in the trade provide the Mavericks with resources to pursue other roster improvements in the future.
The Wizards, are betting that pairing Davis with Young will accelerate their rebuilding process and establish them as a competitive force in the Eastern Conference. The success of this strategy will depend on the continued development of their young core and their ability to effectively integrate Davis into the team once he returns from his hand injury.