The Dallas Mavericks continue their flurry of blockbuster trades following last season’s move that sent superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. Now, in another major shakeup, the Mavericks are trading Davis to the Washington Wizards in an eight-player, multi-pick deal that reshapes both rosters and opens new opportunities for fantasy basketball managers.
Dallas receives Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks, and three second-round picks. Specifically, the Mavericks get a 2026 first-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder and a 2030 protected first-round pick from the Golden State Warriors. The Wizards acquire Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum. Davis has three years left on his contract, with a player option for 2027-28, joining recently acquired PG Trae Young, who was dealt from Atlanta to Washington in January.
Both Davis and Young are currently sidelined with injuries. Davis has been out since early January with a finger injury and will be reevaluated in the coming weeks. Young is expected to return after the All-Star break.
Anthony Davis (NBA)Fantasy Impact: Davis Provides Upside While Mavericks Gain Waiver-Wire Opportunities
For Washington, Davis represents upside for those near the top of their leagues, but he is unlikely to return immediately, and the Wizards’ current focus appears to be on building toward a top draft pick. As a result, he may be dropped in many leagues this season. While the short-term outlook is limited, Davis could be a fantasy asset next year if he returns healthy and productive.
For Dallas, waiver-wire options emerge to fill the frontcourt void. Daniel Gafford steps into a larger role, providing rebounds, blocks, and field-goal percentage for fantasy managers in 12-team, nine-category leagues, though he is less valuable in points leagues. Naji Marshall continues to see 30 minutes per game and should be rostered in most formats, while Max Christie remains a flexible, streamable option.
Wizards’ Young Core Gains Opportunity While Mavericks Add Veteran Scoring and Draft Flexibility, Impacting Fantasy Value Across Multiple Positions
The Wizards’ young core also becomes more relevant for fantasy managers. Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, and Tre Johnson are likely to see increased roles while Trae Young recovers. Carrington holds the starting point guard spot in Young’s absence, Coulibaly benefits from Middleton’s departure to Dallas, and Johnson is expected to contribute once he recovers from an ankle injury. These changes make Washington a source of valuable fantasy contributors across multiple categories as the season progresses.
For the Mavericks, the trade adds proven veteran scoring in Middleton and valuable draft capital to bolster their roster flexibility. For the Wizards, acquiring Davis alongside Young emphasizes a short-term competitive window while providing a foundation for future flexibility if injuries or performance issues persist. Both teams’ moves reflect a balance between immediate roster needs and longer-term planning, while also impacting player roles and fantasy opportunities for the remainder of the season.
