Anthony Davis is reportedly on the move again, with multiple reports indicating the 10-time All-Star is headed to Washington as part of a massive eight-player trade with the Dallas Mavericks. The deal would send Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Wizards, while Dallas would receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, along with two future first-round picks and three future second-round selections.
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 ESPN. pic.twitter.com/sfrQQubI5i
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2026
Davis has been sidelined since mid-January after tearing a ligament in his left hand. Surgery is not required, but he remains a few weeks away from returning based on the original four-to-six week recovery timetable. When healthy, he would immediately become the centerpiece of a Wizards roster that has been aggressively reshaped over the past month. Washington already landed All-Star guard Trae Young in a previous deal, and while Young is expected to miss time through the All-Star break with a sprained right knee and a bruised quadriceps, the long-term vision is clear. A fully healthy Davis and Young would headline a core that also includes rookie big man Alex Sarr, young contributors Kyshawn George, Bub Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly, and standout first-year guard Tre Johnson.
For Dallas, the move signals a clear shift toward the future around rookie sensation Cooper Flagg. The trade opens up frontcourt minutes and flexibility for Flagg while bringing in a group of veterans and young pieces whose contracts all expire this summer, giving the Mavericks significant cap and roster optionality. Those decisions will loom especially large as the franchise continues to evaluate the long-term outlook for Kyrie Irving.
Russell, who is part of the outgoing package, holds a player option for next season, while Hardy is under contract through the 2026-27 campaign with a team option for 2027-28. Exum, however, is set to hit free agency this offseason. Irving, a nine-time All-Star, has been working his way back from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered early last March, with his recovery timeline originally pointing to a return sometime after the start of this season.
