The Mavericks traded Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Washington Wizards for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round draft picks and three second-round picks, according to multiple reports.
The trade likely signals that Mavericks veterans Kyrie Irving, Naji Marshall and Klay Thompson are also not long for Dallas, as the Mavericks might start moving their veterans to recoup more draft capital and younger players to build around likely Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.
Davis played only 29 regular-season games for the Mavericks because of multiple injuries, averaging 20.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
When Davis was acquired in the infamous Luka Dončić trade, then-general manager Nico Harrison said it opened up a title window for the Mavericks, but those championship hopes never materialized.
How did social media react to Wednesday’s trade?
Former Wizards All-Star Gilbert Arenas said he liked the move for Washington.
"It's a great trade for what the Wizards are trying to do. Pick-and-roll with Trae Young is going to be off the chain. Alijah comes - put him at the 2. I'm just saying."@NoChillGilZero is loving the future for his former team after they traded for Anthony Davis. pic.twitter.com/vtV7ohrKnB
Former Mavericks coach Avery Johnson said the move would finally bring closure to the Dončić trade and will allow the team to fully build around Flagg.
"It's basically going to bring closure to what I call a generational [Luka Dončić] trade."@CoachAvery6 is not surprised the Mavericks traded Anthony Davis. pic.twitter.com/T08Guo2ank
Commentator Chris Broussard was mixed on the trade, acknowledging Davis’ lack of availability while also saying the franchise was “so lucky” that it won the lottery and was able to draft Flagg.
Report: Mavs trading Anthony Davis to Wizards. @Chris_Broussard reacts:
“The fact that they were able to get Cooper Flagg. They are so lucky. If it wasn’t for that, they might as well fold up the franchise.” pic.twitter.com/Yf1XYvs3XE
The CBS crew liked the trade from the Wizards’ perspective, but lambasted it for the Mavericks, citing the fact that this is ultimately a meager return for Dončić. One panelist said the Mavericks get “an absolute F” grade.
TRADE GRADES for Mavs trading Anthony Davis to the Wizards
Lawrence Dow is a digital sports reporter from Philadelphia. He graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from USC. He’s passionate about movies and is always looking for a great book. He covers the Texas Rangers and other sports.
