Dallas lets go of Anthony Davis in a massive trade deal with Washington

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

For the second time in two years, 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis was traded to another franchise.

On Feb. 5, 2026, the Dallas Mavericks pulled off another stunning move after shipping the superstar big man to the Washington Wizards, and it was so far the biggest trade negotiation to take place in the chaotic NBA trade deadline.

Dallas’ Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum were also included in the deal, while the Wizards sent Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks and three second-round picks.

According to ESPN veteran NBA insider Shams Charania, the Mavericks also secured the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 first-round pick, the Golden State Warriors’ 2030 protected first-round pick, and several second-round selections from the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls and the Houston Rockets.

Davis’ departure from the Western Conference was first reported in December last year, when multiple reports said he was being targeted by three Eastern Conference teams.

Although the 32-year-old veteran is eligible to sign a four-year, USD 275 million max contract this summer, the scenario quickly changed when Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, arranged a meeting with Dallas interim co-general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi.

During the discussion, Finley and Riccardi explained that they weren’t ruling out the possibility of trading Davis as part of the Mavericks’ long-term plan for the future of the franchise.

Those words were then quickly turned into action.

In 20 games before leaving Dallas, Davis averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.1 steals per contest.

Despite the impressive stat line, Davis’ availability remained an issue, as he missed 30 of the first 50 games of the 2025–26 NBA season.

Since arriving in Dallas after the Luka Dončić trade, Davis has failed to remain healthy, sustaining multiple injuries to his calf, leg, Achilles, groin, adductor, thigh and foot.

If the premier frontcourt star manages to stay in shape, he will have the chance to start a new era in Washington, together with former Atlanta Hawks franchise player Trae Young, who was traded to the Wizards last month.