Mavericks already know what the Wizards are about to learn about Anthony Davis

Dallas Mavericks fans were relieved after the team shipped away an injury-riddled Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards this past trade deadline, as Davis' inability to stay on the court is now Washington's problem, and this is something that the Mavericks are waiting and banking on the Wizards to soon realize.

Davis only suited up in 29 games during his Mavericks tenure, as he dealt with injuries in practically every area of his body, from his eye to his adductor and groin area, as well as his left hand. One can't fault Davis for not being able to suit up to something out of his control, but the proof is in the pudding in terms of his durability at this stage in his career.

At 33 years old, Davis is fizzing out of his prime, and his playstyle doesn't bode well for how his game will age long-term, as he plays dangerously physical sometimes by hunting fouls on offense, and is not the athlete he was in his 20s. Sure, he's a great rim protector, roller, face-up player, and post presence when he's fully healthy and dialed in, but this has been a rare occurrence since landing in Dallas in February of 2025.

Wizards are in for a rude awakening with Davis' lack of availability

The Wizards are a budding young team that is trying to get back into the playoff race next season after adding Trae Young and Davis at the trade deadline, and they now have the ability to select someone like AJ Dybantsa No. 1 overall in the upcoming draft. However, Young's defensive lapses and Davis' inability to stay healthy are real issues that could cap their ceiling next season, and Davis doesn't even seem excited to be joining Washington whatsoever.

Dallas learned firsthand what Washington is about to experience in the 2026-27 season, as Davis can't stay healthy and isn't the same player he once was.

Davis can't shoot 3-pointers at a high enough rate to be a true stretch-five, and unless he drastically shifts to a more conservative playstyle next year, it's hard to imagine he's going to have an elite season where he plays in more than half of Washington's games next year.

Of course, it's not out of the realm of possibility that Davis could have a bounce-back season and play more than he did for Dallas last season, but it seems highly unlikely he'll ever get to the same level that he was at with the Los Angeles Lakers before being traded to Dallas.

Dallas' Davis burden has now shifted to Washington's problem

Ever since he was traded to Dallas, his body has not been able to withstand the toll of the NBA season, and he was already a fairly injury-prone player before coming to the Mavericks, but was just younger and less fragile.

Again, this isn't an indictment on Davis in terms of his work ethic or professionalism, but if history tracks, Wizards fans are in for a rude realization this coming season, as they won't have one of their best players available for a large chunk of the season.

As has been repeated many times at this point, the Mavericks were smart to move on from Davis when they did at the trade deadline, regardless of whether this causes the Luka Doncic trade to look even worse. Davis' value will probably only go down from here, and a potential return package would've only gotten worse the longer he stayed in Dallas.

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