On Wednesday afternoon, the Dallas Mavericks finalized a trade sending Anthony Davis and other players to the Washington Wizards in exchange for future draft picks. This deal ends Davis’ tenure in Dallas just over a year after the team acquired him amid an unsettled 2025-26 season, during which the Mavericks sought to build around him following the Luka Doncic trade.
Naji Marshall Expresses Surprise at Unexpected Move
Naji Marshall, a teammate of Davis and a player also considered for trade, expressed his reaction to the news on X, formerly known as Twitter. His response was succinct and direct, simply stating, “Wow.” This reaction highlights the unexpected nature of the deal among those inside the Mavericks organization, as initially reported by ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.
The Short-Lived Davis Era and Its Challenges
Since joining Dallas from the Los Angeles Lakers last year, Davis played in only 29 games for the Mavericks. The team envisioned a strong, defense-oriented squad centered on Davis, guided by former general manager Nico Harrison, but those plans failed to materialize. The intended dominant presence Davis was expected to bring never fully aligned with the Mavericks’ on-court results.
Bright Spots for the Mavericks Amid Changes
Despite the disappointment surrounding Davis’s departure, the Mavericks had a fortunate moment recently when they secured the first overall pick in the 2025 draft, which they used to select Cooper Flagg. The former Duke standout has impressed in his rookie season, demonstrating significant scoring ability, including a standout 49-point game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Future Outlook: Team Adjustments and Key Returns
With the Davis chapter now closed, Dallas is focused on potential moves before the NBA trade deadline at 3:00 pm ET Thursday. The team is also waiting for the return of Kyrie Irving, who has been sidelined since March last year due to a torn ACL. The Mavericks’ new front office deserves acknowledgment for acting decisively to move on from the Davis experiment rather than allowing it to linger without results.
Wow
— Naji Marshall (@marshall_naji8) February 4, 2026
