The Washington Wizards made a significant trade on Wednesday, just before the NBA’s 2025-26 trade deadline. They have acquired power forward Anthony Davis in an eight-player deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
Along with Davis, the Wizards added shooting guard Jaden Hardy and point guards D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum. In return, they sent away small forward Khris Middleton, shooting guards AJ Johnson and Malaki Branham, power forward Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks, and three second-round picks.
According to CBS Sports, the first-round picks going to Dallas include a 2026 pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder and a top-20 protected 2030 pick from the Golden State Warriors. If the 2030 pick doesn’t convey, it will convert to a second-round pick.
Wizards’ Anthony Davis trade raises questions for rebuilding team
The Wizards avoided giving up significant draft capital, but by taking on large contracts in exchange for Middleton and CJ McCollum’s expiring deals, their future options may be limited. NBA analyst Yossi Gozlan noted that these trades moved Washington from $30 million under the tax to just $5.5 million below.
While the Wizards weren’t likely to attract more talented players than Trae Young or Davis in free agency, trading for both ties the franchise to two stars who may not fit their young roster. Kyshawn George, age 22, is the oldest among the team’s top five contributors. The Wizards have several recent lottery picks, including small forward Bilal Coulibaly (No. 7 in the 2023 draft), center Alexandre Sarr, and point guard Bub Carrington (No. 2 and No. 14 in 2024), along with shooting guard Tre Johnson (No. 6 in 2025).
Young, at 27, is closer in age but his defensive skills are lacking, which does not help Washington, currently ranked No. 29 in defensive rating. Davis, a five-time All-Defensive Team player, could significantly improve their defense. However, as he approaches 33, he may be better suited for a competitive team rather than one in a rebuilding phase.
With injury concerns surrounding both players, it’s uncertain how often they will be able to play together. Young (quad) is still waiting for his Wizards debut and will be evaluated after the All-Star break, while Davis (hand) last played on January 8 and is expected to take around six weeks to recover.
This season, the two stars have played a combined 30 games. Davis has missed over 20 games in six of the last eight seasons since his time with the New Orleans Pelicans. Young, usually more reliable, missed 28 games due to injuries last season. It raises the question—how many games will they actually play together this season?
Adding Davis doesn’t seem likely to elevate the Wizards beyond being a fringe playoff team. For a team that should focus on building around its young core, this trade is puzzling. With a current record of 13-36, ranking 14th in the Eastern Conference, it’s unclear what the Wizards aim to achieve. If they believe that bringing in the injury-prone Davis will help them become relevant, they may be setting themselves up for disappointment.