Anthony Davis is on the move again, this time to the Eastern Conference. This comes after the Dallas Mavericks traded the big man, along with three others, to the Washington Wizards for a package that includes Khris Middleton.
Who Goes Where
MAVS GET: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley, 2 first-round picks, 3 second-round picks
WIZARDS GET: Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, Dante Exum
A year after being part of what amounts to the trade of the century, the 32-year-old Anthony Davis will be on the move again after playing just 29 games for the Mavs. This season, the one-time champion with the Los Angeles Lakers played in just 20 of Dallas’ 50 games and put up 20.4 points per game, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks.
Khris Middleton, who got traded almost at the same time as Davis last year, will be bringing his shooting and veteran presence to Dallas. The three-time NBA All-Star played in only 48 games for the Wizards. This season, the former champion with the Milwaukee Bucks averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 33.3% from the three-point line and 43.3% from the field.
Wizards to Lean on Anthony Davis and Trae Young
This trade heralds a new dynamic duo in Washington in Anthony Davis and Trae Young, who figure to be co-leaders for a Wizards team teeming with young talent led by Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, and 2024 second overall round pick Alex Sarr.
However, Wizards fans might have to wait to see their new All-Star twosome in action and leading the way, as both Ice Trae and AD are still out due to injuries. The 27-year-old Young has been sidelined due to a sprained right knee and bruised quadriceps and will be reevaluated after the All-Star break. Davis, meanwhile, has been out due to a hand injury and will be evaluated soon.
Young’s and Davis’s injury histories are certainly a cause for concern. But if Washington can somehow whip these two All-Stars into shape and keep them on the floor, then the Wizards could be looking at exciting times ahead.
Mavs Go All-In on Cooper Flagg
In essence, the Luka Dončić trade, as of this writing, netted the Mavs these players:
- Max Christie
- Khris Middleton
- AJ Johnson
- Malaki Branham
- Marvin Bagley III
- Los Angeles Lakers 2029 1st-RD pick
- Oklahoma City Thunder 2026 1st-RD pick
- Golden State Warriors 2030 protected 1st-RD pick
- Phoenix Suns 2026 2nd-RD pick
- Chicago Bulls 2027 2nd-RD pick
- Houston Rockets 2029 2nd-RD pick
Needless to say, the Mavs now have little to show for trading a generational superstar in Dončić. But if it’s any consolation, Dallas lucked out by getting Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft as the odds went in its favor. With the Anthony Davis trade, it’s obvious that the team is now building around Flagg and grooming him to be their next franchise player.
