Wizards Acquire Anthony Davis in Surprise Trade

The 10-time All-Star big man joins Trae Young in Washington, but extension talks remain uncertain.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Washington Wizards have acquired star center Anthony Davis in a trade with the Dallas Mavericks, according to an ESPN report. The Wizards sent a package of expiring salaries and draft picks to the Mavericks to land the 10-time All-Star, but the move comes as a surprise to Davis and his agent Rich Paul, who were not consulted on the trade. With Davis and Trae Young now on the Wizards' books for over $100 million next season, the team faces questions about their long-term plans and ability to keep the duo beyond their current contracts.

Why it matters

The Wizards' acquisition of Davis is part of their ongoing roster rebuild, which has seen them shed several high-profile players in recent years. However, the lack of communication with Davis and his agent raises questions about the team's ability to keep the star center long-term, especially given his recent injury history.

The details

The Wizards sent a package primarily made up of expiring salaries and mediocre draft picks to the Mavericks to acquire Davis. The 10-time All-Star has a $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season, but it's unclear if he and his agent will be interested in signing an extension with the Wizards this summer. Davis has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, playing in just 29 games since January 2025.

  • The Wizards traded for Davis on February 12, 2026.
  • Davis has a $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season.

The players

Anthony Davis

A 10-time NBA All-Star and one of the league's premier big men, Davis was traded to the Wizards in a surprise move.

Trae Young

The Wizards also acquired star guard Trae Young in a similar salary dump trade, and the two will now form the centerpiece of Washington's roster.

Rich Paul

Davis' agent, who was not consulted on the trade that sent his client to the Wizards.

Russell Westbrook

The Wizards began their roster rebuild by trading Westbrook in 2021.

Bradley Beal

The Wizards have also unloaded other high-profile players like Beal as part of their rebuild.

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What they’re saying

“It's unusual for a star player to get blindsided by a trade. It's happened to Davis twice in a year, first when the Los Angeles Lakers traded him to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic, and then with the deal to the Wizards.”

— Sean Keane, Sportswriter and Comedian (yardbarker.com)

“Davis and Paul simply can't dictate terms the way they might have before AD's most recent series of injuries. Since Jan. 28, 2025, Davis has suited up for only 29 games.”

— Sean Keane, Sportswriter and Comedian (yardbarker.com)

What’s next

Davis and Trae Young will both have player options for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons, respectively, which could impact their long-term futures with the Wizards. The team will need to determine if they can keep the duo beyond their current contracts.

The takeaway

The Wizards' acquisition of Anthony Davis is a high-risk, high-reward move as they continue their rebuild. While Davis is a superstar talent, his recent injury history and the surprise nature of the trade raise questions about whether he and the team will be able to agree on a long-term extension this summer.