Mavericks' Anthony Davis trade will turn into even more of a steal in free agency

In perspective, the Dallas Mavericks have underachieved this season; the team has struggled to meet expectations for the second year in a row. However, if there is any silver lining this year, it's that Dallas cleaned up part of Nico Harrison's mess by trading Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. The team acquired multiple future draft picks and obtained key veteran players in this deal, like Marvin Bagley III and Khris Middleton, to make Cooper Flagg's life easier and give the team some depth.

The only thing that would make the trade even more successful is if Dallas were able to retain Bagley III and Middleton in free agency.

Both players have proven to be excellent acquisitions, and assuming the Mavericks can bring them back, then it would be another win for a franchise still recovering from the Luka Doncic trade.

The real prize of the Davis trade may not be the draft picks

Bagley III and Middleton are solid veterans who can easily elevate the Mavs' offense. Their production over the past two months has far outweighed anything Davis has done for Washington since his arrival, as he hasn't even played a game yet. It's one of the many reasons Dallas must bring back their hidden gems.

One of the Mavs' top priorities this summer should be re-signing Marvin Bagley III and Khris Middleton. Both former Wizards players have been big assets for a team looking for answers.

Look at Bagley III's production for starters. He has been a huge boost for Dallas' frontcourt, as the team looks for solutions while Dereck Lively II nurses a season-ending injury. His recent surge could force the Mavs to move him into the backup center role once Lively II returns, meaning Daniel Gafford could end up on the trade block again.

The idea of Bagley III returning to the Mavs should be a no-brainer. Just examine his recent game, as he scored a whopping 26 points and had nine rebounds against the Portland Trail Blazers last Friday. Not to mention, he shot 60 percent from the 3-point line, making three of his five attempts. Who wouldn't want a center who can stretch the floor with his shooting while providing incredible energy?

As for Middleton, he has shown a glimpse of his old all-star form. Three weeks ago, he had one of his best games, where he dropped a season-high 35 points on 58.8 percent shooting from the field. The game was a testament to his production since his arrival. He can easily stretch the floor and be a solid veteran alongside Flagg, and give Dallas a scoring punch.

Re-signing Middleton & Bagley III would make the Davis trade even better

Bagley III and Middleton have been a spark for a franchise trying to recover from the Doncic trade. Their production since arriving in Dallas has been one of the few bright spots, as the Mavs continue to tank and heal from Nico Harrison's disastrous time as general manager.

The one thing that would heal Harrison's awful decision is bringing back Bagley III and Middleton, as it's something the Mavs desperately need to do. The Davis trade helped the team eradicate a dreadful era in the franchise's history. The team got rid of Davis, along with three unplayable players, and the move should put Dallas in a good spot to build a future contender.

All that's left is for Dallas to re-sign Middleton. The players discussed have done more for the team than Davis since the trade, especially since he hasn't played since being traded. Their return would be the perfect move to give their bench some depth, and Mavs fans are already lobbying for the team to re-sign them.