Mavericks traded Anthony Davis to Wizards without consulting Rich Paul

The Dallas Mavericks finalized a major eight-player trade on Wednesday, a day before the deadline, sending the 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. While the move signaled a definitive intention of the Mavs to build a contender team around Cooper Flagg, a report from The Athletic’s Joe Vardon has highlighted a significant point in Anthony Davis’ trade.In late January, Davis' agent Rich Paul gave the Mavs’ front office an ultimatum to trade Davis before February. But now that it has happened, it was reported by Vardon that Paul wasn’t consulted.

Dallas Mavericks didn’t consult Rich Paul over Anthony Davis’ trade

Anthony Davis’ trade to Washington Wizards ends his brief and injury-plagued tenure in Dallas, where he appeared in only 29 total games since joining the team in January 2025.Along with the veteran big man, the Mavericks also sent Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum to the Wizards in exchange for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, and a total 5 draft picks: two first-round draft picks and three second-rounders.

But according to Vardon, the Mavericks completed the deal without consulting Davis’s high-profile agent, Rich Paul, who is also the CEO of Klutch Sports. This decision to exclude Paul reflects the Mavericks’ front office’s confidence in not getting bullied by external pressure. Reportedly, Paul had been aggressively pushing the Mavs for an immediate resolution for Davis that included either a lucrative contract extension or a trade to a destination that could offer one.

After Paul’s ultimatum, Mavericks management reportedly felt the ultimatum delivered regarding Davis’s $54 million contract did not align with their organizational priorities. By moving forward without his input, the Mavericks prioritised the best possible asset return for the franchise.

Mavs strategic pivot toward Cooper Flagg

The combination of veteran experience of Anthony Davis and the young power of Cooper could have been lethal, but Davis’ inconsistency couldn’t be able to hold the end of this deal.

So, instead of gambling on a situation with no assured win, the Mavs trade Davis for a financial reset. Davis averaged 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds in 20 appearances this season, but was sidelined since January 8 with a left hand injury. By trading Davis, the Mavs have $57 million in savings and have also gotten below the luxury tax line. They are now fully committed to building around Cooper Flagg, the 19-year-old rookie sensation. Flagg is currently averaging 20.1 points and 6.7 rebounds. Meanwhile, the Wizards will pair Davis with Trae Young, hoping a veteran core can stabilize their rebuild once both stars recover from their respective injuries.