Mavericks Look to Build the Future
A year after the Dallas Mavericks made the decision to trade star point guard Luka Dončić to Los Angeles in exchange for power forward Anthony Davis and several other pieces, Anthony Davis has been traded in a blockbuster trade to the Washington Wizards! In this trade, the Dallas Mavericks received small forward Khris Middleton, shooting guard AJ Johnson, forward Malaki Branham, power forward Marvin Bagley III, two first round picks and three second round picks. In exchange, the Washington Wizards received Anthony Davis, shooting guard Dante Exum, point guard D’Angelo Russell and shooting guard Jaden Hardy. Just one day after trading for Malaki Branham, the Dallas Mavericks traded Branham to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for guard Tyus Jones.
In Davis’ short career with Dallas, he played only 29 games, averaging 30 minutes, 20 points per game, 11 rebounds per game and one major injury per season. When Davis was traded to Dallas, the biggest concern was his ability to stay healthy and help develop the team around him. In his first game as a Maverick, he left within the third quarter with a calf injury that sidelined him for weeks. After that, the injuries lingered and eventually sidelined him for the remainder of the season. In 2026, after an off-season of rehab, and during which the Mavericks acquired Cooper Flagg in the draft, Anthony Davis was ready to prove his worth. Davis was playing well to begin the season until he suffered a ligament injury in his hand that has sidelined him since the beginning of January. Davis has yet to be designated to return.
The trade was a move that most Maverick fans had hoped for since Davis arrived in Dallas. It was not personal to Davis, but he was a constant reminder to the city of the trade former general manager Nico Harrison made, sending the star from Slovenia, Luka Dončić, to L.A.
Khris Middleton has an extensive resume in the NBA. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 2012, but A year later he found his way to the Milwaukee Bucks and in 2021 became an NBA champion with Milwaukee. In 2025, he signed with the Washington Wizards, where he played for a season and a half until Dallas acquired him before the trade deadline. Middleton is a three-time NBA All-Star, an NBA champion and a Team USA Olympic Gold Champion from the 2021 games. Middleton is well known for his two-way playing style, as well as his clutch scoring abilities.
AJ Johnson, the 6’5” shooting guard from Fresno, California, joined the NBA in 2024 with the Milwaukee Bucks. Johnson spent one season with the Bucks where he was not utilized, only averaging 6 minutes per game and 3 points per game, and yet hit 60% on three-point shots. Johnson left Milwaukee after one season and played for Washington for a year and a half, his averages this season remaining the same. Due to little playing time this year, it is difficult to get a full range of how useful Johnson can be for Dallas, but his upside potential can make him a true asset to the rotation.
Marvin Bagley III has played with quite an extensive list of teams during his time in the NBA. Bagley began his career with the Sacramento Kings. Bagley spent four years with the Kings before being traded to the Detroit Pistons, where he played out the remainder of the 2022 season until the middle of the 2024 season. At the deadline in 2024, Washington traded for Bagley, where he spent one full season before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. After the 2025 season, Bagley returned to Washington where he played the first half of this season, before ultimately being traded to Dallas. This season, Bagley is averaging 20 minutes per game, 10 points per game and 62.1% field goal percentage as well as five rebounds per game. Bagley is known for his athleticism and shooting versatility. The major concern for Bagley is his effort on defense, but the scheme could be adjusted to his style of play to make him a two-way player.
After acquiring Malaki Branham, the Mavericks decided to trade Branham to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Tyus Jones. Jones was drafted in 2015 by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and then was immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jones played in Minnesota from 2015-2019 where he established himself as a playmaker due to his high assist to turn over ratio. In 2019, Jones began the next chapter of his career with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he played for four seasons. Jones had a short stint in Washington for one season and then hopped around from the Phoenix Suns, to the Orlando Magic, and then the Charlotte Hornets, all on one year contracts. Jones was then traded on Feb. 5 to the Dallas Mavericks. This season, Jones is averaging 15 minutes per game, 3 points per game, two assists per game and only 24% on three-point percentage.
Although these veterans come with extensive resumes, arguably the most important part of this trade is the acquisition of two first round picks. Our two new picks come in the 2026 NBA draft, as well as the 2030 draft. With this, the Mavericks can build a young team around Cooper Flagg. When the Mavericks use their 2030 first round picks, Cooper Flagg will be 23 years old and about to enter his prime. With a young and versatile team surrounding him, as well as mentoring from Kyrie Irving in the final years of his career, this team will be able to truly compete for a championship. Looking back on the Dončić trade, Dallas received multiple starters and two future franchise pieces. If those players turn out to be true stars, then the Mavericks have redeemed themselves after losing Luka Dončić. Only time will tell, but this trade could be the turning point that fans were hoping for, and credit must be given to the front office of the Dallas Mavericks.