Anthony Davis, a key figure in one of the most shocking trades in American pro sports history, is on the move again just a year later.
ESPN reported on Thursday that the Dallas Mavericks have agreed to a blockbuster trade, sending Davis and three other players to the Washington Wizards in exchange for four players and five draft picks.
As part of this deal, Davis will leave Dallas along with Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum to join the Wizards.
In return, Dallas will acquire Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malachi Branham, and Marvin Bagley III, as well as two first-round and three second-round draft picks.
Davis is undoubtedly the headliner in this trade.
Last February, Dallas orchestrated a three-team trade with the LA Lakers and Utah Jazz, with the centerpiece being the swap of Davis for Luka Doncic.
The departure of Doncic, who had been Dallas’ franchise cornerstone since his NBA debut in 2018, sent shockwaves through the league. Fox Sports even ranked it as the most shocking trade in American pro sports history. The fallout was significant, leading to the firing of Dallas GM Nico Harrison just nine months later.
Davis’ tenure in Dallas was marred by injuries, as he played only 29 games that year, further frustrating Mavs fans.
His struggles continued into the new season, with Davis sidelined since February 9 due to a left-hand injury sustained against Utah.
Currently 12th in the Western Conference at 19-31, Dallas is looking to rebuild around top rookie prospect Cooper Flagg.
The Wizards, languishing in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, have been aggressive in the trade market to improve their roster. They previously acquired Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks and have now added Davis to their lineup.
In other NBA action, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the LA Clippers 124-91 in an away game at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Both teams were in the spotlight after a trade the day before, in which Cleveland acquired James Harden from the Clippers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round draft pick.
Neither Harden nor Garland suited up for this game.
With the win, Cleveland improved to 31-21, maintaining their fourth spot in the Eastern Conference, while the Clippers dropped to 23-27, good for ninth in the West.
NBA Scores (February 5) — Final
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New York Knicks 134, Denver Nuggets 127
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Minnesota Timberwolves 128, Toronto Raptors 126
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Boston Celtics 114, Houston Rockets 93
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Minnesota Timberwolves 141, New Orleans Pelicans 137
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San Antonio Spurs 116, Oklahoma City Thunder 106
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Memphis Grizzlies 129, Sacramento Kings 125
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Cleveland Cavaliers 124, Los Angeles Clippers 91