Wizards Acquire Anthony Davis in Eight-Player Trade With Mavericks, AP Source Says

DALLAS (JN) – The Washington Wizards have agreed to acquire 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks in a sweeping eight-player trade that also includes multiple draft picks, according to a person with knowledge of the deal who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it had not yet received NBA approval.

The move signals a decisive shift in direction for both franchises. Washington accelerates away from a prolonged rebuild by adding another established star to a young core, while Dallas takes a further step from last year’s controversial Luka Doncic trade and leans into draft assets and a youth-driven reset.

The deal, still pending league clearance, reshapes two rosters in different phases and reframes expectations for seasons to come.

Trade Details and Draft Assets

Under the terms described to AP, Washington will send Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham and Marvin Bagley III to Dallas, along with two first-round draft picks and three second-round selections.

In addition to Davis, the Wizards will receive three guards from the Mavericks: Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum.

The scale of the exchange reflects contrasting priorities. For Washington, the emphasis is on established talent that can anchor a competitive roster. For Dallas, the incoming picks and movable contracts provide flexibility after a difficult stretch on the court and in the front office.

Washington’s Shift From Rebuild to Reinforcement

The Wizards have endured back-to-back seasons of 67 and 64 losses, and until recently appeared committed to patient roster development and draft positioning. That approach has changed markedly in recent weeks.

Washington traded for Trae Young last month and now adds Davis to a group that includes Alex Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft. The acquisitions suggest the franchise is ready to move beyond relying on lottery odds and toward assembling a competitive core through veteran additions.

It remains unclear how much Davis or Young will play in the remainder of the current season. Washington’s draft situation adds another layer of complexity: the Wizards would lose their top pick this year if it falls outside the top eight, a factor that could influence how aggressively the team pushes in the short term.

Even so, the outline of a future roster featuring Davis, Young and Sarr points to a different timeline. Health will be a central consideration, particularly with Davis, whose availability has often shaped his teams’ fortunes.

Davis’ Injury History and Limited Time in Dallas

Davis, 32, has been sidelined since Jan. 8 with a left hand injury and was not expected to return before the All-Star break later this month.

His time in Dallas was brief and interrupted. Over two partial seasons with the Mavericks, Davis appeared in just 31 of a possible 84 games, including two play-in tournament appearances last year. His ailments included a core muscle issue, a calf strain and, most recently, the hand injury sustained while defending Utah’s Lauri Markkanen.

The injuries compounded scrutiny around the deal that brought Davis to Dallas in the first place. Then–general manager Nico Harrison, who was dismissed in November after a slow start to the season, had orchestrated the overnight trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for a package centered on Davis.

That decision drew heavy criticism from fans and analysts who questioned moving a 25-year-old franchise cornerstone for a veteran with a lengthy injury history. Trade speculation around Davis intensified after Harrison’s departure.

Dallas Reorients Around Youth and Draft Capital

This latest move appears to close a chapter that began with the Doncic trade. By acquiring multiple draft picks and younger players, the Mavericks create room to reset their roster strategy.

The franchise is increasingly focused on rookie No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, who has emerged as a focal point of Dallas’ future. The 19-year-old recently set an NBA scoring record for a teenager with 49 points against Charlotte and is on a three-game streak of 30-point performances, another league first for players under 20.

Flagg is averaging 20.1 points per game a year after leading Duke to the Final Four and becoming just the fourth freshman to be named AP men’s basketball player of the year. He will not turn 20 until next season, underscoring the Mavericks’ long-term outlook.

Dallas, however, remains in a difficult position in the standings. The team is on a five-game losing streak, its longest of the season, and sits 12th in the Western Conference at 19-31. Guard Kyrie Irving, a nine-time All-Star, tore the ACL in his left knee last March and is increasingly unlikely to play this season.

A Franchise Still Recovering From the Doncic Deal

The Mavericks have missed the playoffs in each of the two seasons since Doncic and Irving led them to the 2024 NBA Finals, where they lost to Boston in five games.

Harrison’s original plan had been to pair Davis and Irving as elite two-way players capable of keeping Dallas in contention. Instead, the pair shared the court only once before Davis exited with an abdominal aggravation in his Mavericks debut. Irving’s knee injury followed less than a month later.

The new trade, while significant, represents another step in a broader recalibration for Dallas as it moves from that plan toward one built around draft assets and Flagg’s development.

What the Deal Means for Both Teams

For Washington, the acquisition of Davis is a statement that the franchise no longer intends to wait for incremental progress. The Wizards are assembling a roster that, if healthy, could be competitive in the Eastern Conference within the next two seasons.

For Dallas, the priority appears to be flexibility and patience. The draft picks, combined with Flagg’s emergence, provide a foundation for rebuilding after a period marked by bold decisions and uneven results.

The trade, pending NBA approval, underscores how quickly team strategies can evolve in the league. One franchise accelerates its timeline with a high-profile addition; the other takes a step back to chart a new path forward.