Washington (United States) (AFP) – Anthony Davis, a 10-time NBA All-Star forward, was traded by the Dallas Mavericks to Washington in a blockbuster deal involving eight players and five NBA Draft picks, ESPN reported on Wednesday. Davis, the top overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, was traded to the Mavs last February by the Los Angeles Lakers in the deal that sent Luka Doncic in the opposite direction.
On Wednesday, according to the sports network’s website from unnamed sources, the Mavericks sent Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum to the Wizards. In exchange, Washington sent Dallas Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, plus two first-round draft picks and three second-round selections, according to the report.
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The swap will give the Mavericks a first-round pick from Oklahoma City in this year’s NBA Draft and a 2030 first-round pick from the Wizards, plus second-round choices in 2026, 2027, and 2029 obtained in prior deals with other clubs. The deal comes barely 24 hours before the NBA trade deadline for this season, with Milwaukee’s Greek star big man Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ja Morant of Memphis being the biggest names expected to be on the move.
Davis, 32, has struggled with injuries over many years. He has averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 blocked shots, and 1.1 steals in 20 games for Dallas this season. His career averages are 24.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals per contest.
The Wizards, second-worst in the Eastern Conference at 13-36, add Davis to a lineup that includes four-time NBA All-Star guard Trae Young, obtained last month in a deal with Atlanta. The Mavericks, 19-31 and on a five-game losing skid, add financial flexibility plus future draft picks to help rebuild the squad around star rookie Cooper Flagg.
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