The Dallas Mavericks have had a wild couple of seasons when it comes to making trades. After shipping out superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers last season for Anthony Davis, the Mavericks are sending AD to the Washington Wizards in an eight-player deal that also involves multiple draft picks. Here’s the full breakdown of the trade below:
Mavericks receive
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Wizards receive
Dallas gets a 2026 first-rounder from the Thunder as part of the deal and a 2030 protected first-round pick from the Warriors. AD has three years remaining on his current contract with a player option for 2027-28. He joins PG Trae Young, who was dealt to Washington from Atlanta on Jan. 9.
Both Davis and Young are currently sidelined with injuries. AD has been sidelined since early January due to a finger injury and should be reevaluated in a few weeks. Young is expected to be reevaluated after the All-Star break.
Below Yahoo analyst Dan Titus provides his fantasy basketball take on the Davis trade for both sides.
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Fantasy basketball analysis
Anthony Davis – Washington Wizards
If you’re near the top of your league and have space to stash, play for the upside. However, I’m likely dropping AD everywhere because, as we’re seeing with Young, the Wizards are positioning themselves for a top pick, and AD (along with Trae) will get them closer to winning than not. He was already trending down because of his injured hand, forcing him to be on injured list and this move gives zero incentive to return before or after he’s cleared to play. It’s a bad landing spot for this season, but next year could be a lot of fun in D.C.
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Waiver wire options to consider
Daniel Gafford – Dallas Mavericks
The starting spot was already Gafford’s with AD injured, but he and Moussa Cisse (currently on a two-way deal) are the main frontcourt options left in Dallas. I’d add Gafford in 12-team, 9-category leagues, as he can still be a good source for FG%, blocks and rebounds. Points leagues? I’ll pass.
Naji Marshall – Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs are reportedly not interested in including Marshall in any deals, and he continues to play a pivotal role in their rotation, seeing 30 minutes a night since December. He has a versatile fantasy skillset that warrants being rostered in 12-team leagues for the rest of the season. Max Christie is also marked safe from this trade and though his performances have been volatile, he’s a streamable player given the underwhelming return from this trade.
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The Wizards’ young core
The trio of Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly and Tre Johnson are all players to consider adding as the season wears on. Carrington is locked into the starting PG spot for as long as Young is out, while Coulibaly just got a nice bump in playing time now that Khris Middleton is on his way to Dallas. Once Johnson gets over his ankle injury, he’ll be another asset in play for fantasy managers needing points and 3s. I like the Wizards’ potential as viable fantasy options across formats.