Two Former Champions – Anthony Davis & Khris Middleton – Swap Teams

Just a year after being traded for Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis has been sent to the Washington Wizards for Khris Middleton.

The Wizards got Davis along with Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks got Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks and three second-round picks. The two first-round picks are the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2026 pick and the Golden State Warriors’ 2030 pick. The Warriors’ pick is top-20 protected.

Earlier this season, the Wizards traded for Trae Young. The Wizards will have the veteran duo of Davis and Young surrounding their young core. 

The Mavericks have disappointed this season, finishing as a No. 12 seed. Along with Davis missing games to injury, Kyrie Irving is likely out for the season with a torn ACL he suffered last season. The Mavericks are looking to rebuild around their young star Cooper Flagg. 

Both the Wizards and Mavericks are on the outside looking in of the playoffs. Both teams are looking toward the future with this trade.

The Wizards haven’t made the playoffs since the 2021 season. This is the third-longest playoff drought behind the Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs hold the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, meaning their drought is very likely to end. Missing the playoffs this many seasons in a row is bad for team and fan chemistry. 2026-27 presents a prime opportunity for the Wizards to make the playoffs. 

The Mavericks, meanwhile, are just looking to develop Flagg. Flagg’s points per game go up three points when Davis isn’t playing. The two struggled to form consistent chemistry. Irving and Middleton are more likely to fit with Flagg as they provide spacing. Middleton will get a chance to revive his career in a smaller but still important role.