The Mavericks traded Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, ending one of the most disappointing tenures in franchise history. Dallas sent Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum to the Wizards for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, and five draft picks.
The move closes the chapter on a failed experiment that cost the franchise Luka Dončić and angered fans across Dallas.
What Did Jason Kidd Say About Anthony Davis?
Jason Kidd didn’t hide from the reality of what went wrong. Speaking to reporters after the trade, the Mavericks coach reflected on a partnership that never materialized because Davis and Kyrie Irving couldn’t stay on the floor together.
Jason Kidd on Anthony Davis’ Mavericks tenure:
“It was unfortunate. His health. We never got to see everyone together, so not just AD, but Kai, and with Coop, so unfortunately we didn’t have that opportunity. AD is an incredible basketball player and a great human being…” pic.twitter.com/R6gjmgw2dR
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) February 6, 2026
The two All-Stars played just one game as teammates before injuries derailed everything Dallas envisioned when former general manager Nico Harrison engineered last year’s blockbuster deal.
“It was unfortunate,” Kidd said. “His health. We never got to see everyone together, so not just AD, but Kai, and with Coop, so unfortunately, we didn’t have that opportunity. AD is an incredible basketball player and a great human being.”
The numbers tell a brutal story. Davis appeared in just 20 games for Dallas this season, averaging 20.1 points and 11.1 rebounds while dealing with an adductor strain, a hand injury, and various other ailments.
He played 29 total games in a Mavericks uniform across two partial seasons. Irving hasn’t played at all this season after tearing his ACL last March, making it increasingly unlikely he’ll return before his contract expires.
The Mavericks sit 12th in the Western Conference at 19-32; thus, their season will effectively be over by early February. They’ve lost five straight games and are building around Cooper Flagg, the 19-year-old rookie who’s averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in his first NBA season.
Flagg, who Dallas selected with the No. 1 overall pick after winning the lottery with just a 1.8 percent chance, represents the franchise’s future. Davis represented an expensive mistake tied to the past.
Kidd’s comments reflect a coach who understands the trade was necessary but harbors no bitterness toward Davis. The acknowledgment of Davis as “an incredible basketball player and a great human being” separates the player from the circumstances. Kidd coached through an impossible situation, trying to develop Flagg while managing the expectations that came with two max-contract players who were unlucky enough not to contribute.
The Wizards are gambling that Davis can stay healthy next to Trae Young, whom they acquired from Atlanta last month. Washington went 14-36 before the trade deadline, clearly pivoting toward competitiveness after years of rebuilding.
