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Kevin Pelton
Multiple Authors
The Anthony Davis chapter in Dallas has concluded just a year after the Mavericks stunned the NBA by trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for a deal centered around the 10-time All-Star.
With their roster now centered around No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks have chosen to focus on cap flexibility, a shift from former GM Nico Harrison’s view that Davis’ two-way talent made him a superior choice to lead Dallas to a championship run over Doncic. This trade eliminates the remaining $120 million on Davis’ contract while securing some late first-round picks.
Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards continue their rebuilding process with another significant trade for a veteran star. They will team Davis with newcomer Trae Young and a roster of young talent, including 2024 first-round picks Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr.
How will this revamped Wizards team gel in 2026-27? And what’s next for the Mavericks as they aim to support Flagg with younger players? Let’s delve into the ramifications of this surprising move.
Dallas Mavericks receive:
F Khris Middleton
G AJ Johnson
G Malaki Branham
F Marvin Bagley III
2026 first-round pick (from OKC)
2030 first-round pick (from GS, top-20 protected)
2026 second-round pick (from PHX)
2027 second-round pick (from CHI)
2029 second-round pick (from HOU)
Washington Wizards receive:
F Anthony Davis
G Jaden Hardy
G D’Angelo Russell
G Dante Exum
Grades
Dallas Mavericks: B
This grade is based solely on the Mavericks’ decision to trade Davis considering his current market value, rather than the initial acquisition (which I previously reviewed as an F).
It’s improbable that any team values Davis now as much as Dallas did a year ago, given his series of injuries, including a hand sprain that has sidelined him for the past month, which has diminished his trade appeal. Teams likely see Davis now as an unreliable player with one of the NBA’s seven largest contracts.
In an age where apron restrictions force teams to manage their cap more efficiently than ever, moving Davis for substantial draft compensation or young talent has proven challenging. The Mavericks essentially faced the choice of trades prioritizing salary reduction or waiting until this summer to attempt offloading Davis.
Among those options, I support this deal now as the best route for Dallas to circumvent a significant luxury-tax bill for a lottery team. The Mavericks have alleviated a considerable amount of salary for 2025-26, to the extent that the Wizards are now closer to the tax threshold.
One viewpoint suggested that Dallas could have retained Davis for a push in 2026-27, when Kyrie Irving is expected back from his ACL injury, and Flagg looks primed for a vital role on a contending team. but, since they likely won’t have their 2027 first-round pick unless it lands in the top two, there was minimal disadvantage to pursuing as many victories as possible.
That said, this strategy felt reminiscent of past mistakes made by teams rushing to construct a contender around emerging stars. Attempting to peak when Flagg is just 20 may not be as wise as accumulating players aligned with his development while compensating for the draft picks Dallas has lost.
It’s worth noting there won’t be premium selections from this trade. The Mavericks will likely receive what could be the No. 30 pick in this year’s NBA draft, possibly dropping to No. 29, and a 2030 pick with a ceiling of No. 21, depending on protections.
Securing more opportunities remains advantageous for Dallas: They lack control over their first-round picks from 2027 to 2030, having traded and swapped several, yet now possess up to three incoming first-rounders from other teams, including one acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers in the Doncic trade.
Additional moves may come, based on Dallas’ commitment to tearing down the current roster. Role players such as Max Christie, Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, and P.J. Washington hold reasonable contracts that could return pick assets. Irving might also become a trade option once Dallas is ready to address that situation. Of those players, Irving seems least likely to remain on the roster when Flagg reaches his prime later this decade.
The cap flexibility now established by reducing up to $67 million in 2026-27 salaries—depending on whether Russell picks up his player option—could be leveraged to gain draft picks. To create ample cap space this summer, the Mavericks may need to trade additional players under contract, but they should be capable of structuring this deal to generate a trade exception exceeding $20 million, reflecting the salary difference between Davis and Middleton.
For the moment, it is crucial for Dallas to maximize their own 2026 first-round pick, which stands seventh entering the lottery if the season ended today. but, they face stiff competition for that position, as the Milwaukee Bucks are likely to dismantle their season and the Memphis Grizzlies have traded away star Jaren Jackson Jr. All three teams currently boast 19 wins, although Dallas is in last place due to additional losses.
The Mavericks can achieve this objective while gaining clarity on Johnson’s future by providing him ample playing time for the remainder of the season. Johnson, selected No. 23 in the 2024 first round, has been traded twice since joining the NBA and has logged just 853 minutes so far. He has demonstrated promise in recent games, accumulating 31 points on 11-of-21 shooting and eight assists (despite seven turnovers) over his last two outings for the Wizards.
Washington Wizards: C
What does Washington look like now after acquiring Young and Davis in recent trades?
Bringing in Davis, who is currently injured, aligns well with the Wizards’ objective to secure a bottom-four record, ensuring they retain their first-round pick, which will go to the New York Knicks if it falls outside the top eight. The Wizards are presently tied for fourth in lottery standings but may swap positions with the New Orleans Pelicans, who also have 13 wins and no incentive to lose for draft positioning.
With Davis likely to miss the remainder of this season, the Wizards will have to adapt their style during training camp. They have primarily implemented a four-out approach this season, centering their game on Alex Sarr, who has only played 7.4 minutes as a power forward, based on my analysis of NBA Advanced Stats lineup data.
We have seen Sarr paired with a big man at times during his rookie campaign when he started four games alongside Jonas Valanciunas, logging a total of 138 minutes as a power forward. The designation of whether Davis or Sarr plays center in Washington’s starting lineup is less significant than how they will fit together.
Defensively, this duo should be formidable, adept at covering for Young’s defensive shortcomings. Sarr has made substantial progress as a rim protector in his second season, ranking just outside the top 10 in opponent shooting accuracy on shots taken within five feet, according to GeniusIQ tracking on NBA Advanced Stats. Davis ranks just ahead of him. The only team boasting two players in this category is … Dallas, featuring Davis and Daniel Gafford. (Somewhere, Harrison sheds a single tear over this statistic.)
I have more concerns about how Davis and Sarr will mesh offensively. As a rookie, Sarr primarily operated as an outside-in player with a field goal percentage of 39%. This year, he has enhanced his efficiency by playing closer to the basket, with his average shot distance dropping from over 14 feet to under 10, as per Basketball-Reference.com.
If Davis serves as the primary screener for Young’s pick-and-roll plays, Sarr may be tasked with creating space on the perimeter. He has improved to 33% from three-point range, up from 31% as a rookie. but, opponents would likely prefer to see Sarr shooting from beyond the arc rather than finishing at the rim.
From a broader perspective, there is concern that the Wizards are prematurely pulling their rebuilding effort out of the oven. The acquisitions of Davis and Young will create pressure to be competitive next season, especially if both players secure the new contracts they are pursuing. (Young can opt out of a $49 million player option this summer, and Davis will seek an extension before his $62.8 million player option in 2027-28.)
Sarr and George appear to be valuable foundational pieces, while Carrington and 2025 lottery pick Tre Johnson have shown promise. Still, Washington lacks a prospect of Flagg’s caliber. Among the Wizards, Sarr was the only player ranked in ESPN’s top 25 under 25 in December.
It’s possible the Wizards can blend youth and depth into a balanced lineup that competes in the East. More likely, they need one of their young stars to step up or to secure a top-four pick in the 2026 lottery. Considering that, I would have preferred a more measured approach after acquiring Young, rather than making a move of this magnitude so soon.
