The Unthinkable Reset: Anthony Davis Traded to Wizards in 8-Player Mega-Deal

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Exactly one year to the day after he was acquired in the “trade of the century,” Anthony Davis is on the move again. In a stunning reversal of fortunes on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the Dallas Mavericks traded the 10-time All-Star to the Washington Wizards in a massive eight-player blockbuster that signals the official end of the AD experiment in North Texas. The move, first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, comes just 24 hours before the NBA trade deadline and marks a desperate pivot for a Mavericks franchise trying to salvage their future after the controversial 2025 Luka Dončić trade.

Breaking: The Dallas Mavericks are trading 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Washington Wizards for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2 first-round picks and 3 second-rounders, sources tell… pic.twitter.com/HzXQYAkOeK

— ESPN (@espn) February 4, 2026

The Trade Breakdown

The deal is one of the most complex in recent memory, involving high-salary veterans, promising youth, and a significant haul of draft capital.

Washington Wizards Receive:

Anthony Davis
D’Angelo Russell
Jaden Hardy
Dante Exum

Dallas Mavericks Receive:

Khris Middleton
Marvin Bagley III
Malaki Branham
AJ Johnson
Two First-Round Picks (2027, 2029)
Three Second-Round Picks

Why Dallas Moved On

The trade is a stark admission of failure for the Mavericks’ front office. When Dallas swapped franchise icon Luka Dončić for Davis in 2025, it was touted as a move for defensive stability and “championship grit.” Instead:

Availability Issues: Davis played just 29 games in a Mavericks uniform over the last calendar year, currently sidelined with a hand injury that has kept him out since early January.
The “Luka Shadow”: As Dončić thrived in Los Angeles, the fan backlash in Dallas grew untenable. Interim GMs Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi reportedly felt the pressure to “reset” the salary cap and recoup the draft picks lost in the initial deal.
The Cooper Flagg Factor: With rookie sensation Cooper Flagg now the face of the franchise, Dallas opted for depth and veteran leadership (Middleton) over the high-ceiling, high-risk health profile of Davis.

The Wizards’ Gamble: A New Big Three?

For Washington, the move is a massive swing at relevancy. By pairing Davis with their existing core, the Wizards are betting that a change of scenery—and a return to the Eastern Conference—will rejuvenate the 32-year-old big man.

The Fit: If healthy, a frontcourt of Davis and Alex Sarr could be the most formidable defensive pairing in the league.
Salary Dump or Star Power? While taking on D’Angelo Russell’s contract was a necessity to balance the math, Washington views Russell as a veteran floor general who can help bridge the gap for their younger guards.

Tactical Comparison: What Dallas Gets Back

Player	Role / Impact	2025-26 Stats
Khris Middleton	Veteran wing & secondary playmaker	15.2 PPG, 4.1 APG
Marvin Bagley III	Frontcourt depth and rebounding	10.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG
Malaki Branham	Young perimeter scorer	9.4 PPG, 38% 3PT
Draft Capital	2 Firsts, 3 Seconds	Crucial for future flexibility

What’s Next?

Anthony Davis is not expected to suit up for the Wizards immediately as he continues to rehab his hand injury. However, the move has already sent shockwaves through the betting markets, with the Wizards’ odds to make the Play-In tournament jumping overnight.

For the Mavericks, the focus shifts to whether they can flip Khris Middleton or Marvin Bagley III before tomorrow’s 3:00 PM ET deadline to further lean into their youth movement.