Why Mavs Reportedly Traded Anthony Davis After They 'Weren't Dead Set' on Deadline Move

The Dallas Mavericks reportedly were open to keeping star big man Anthony Davis past Thursday's trade deadline, but they received an offer too good to refuse from the Washington Wizards that led to Wednesday's blockbuster deal.

According to The Athletic's Fred Katz, league sources said the Mavs "weren't dead set on trading Davis by the deadline," and they wouldn't have moved him "unless they could check every box." Dallas was able to convince Washington to add a pair of first-round picks to the deal, which facilitated the negotiations.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Wednesday that the Mavs sent Davis, Davis, Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Wizards in exchange for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round draft picks and three second-round picks.

It was just a year ago that Dallas acquired Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers as part of the infamous Luka Dončić trade, and the deal will go down as one of the biggest failures in franchise history. Former general manager Nico Harrison, the person responsible for the trade, was fired in November, and his prized acquisition is now in Washington.

However, Katz explained that the Mavs had no choice but to move forward without Davis as they try to build around 2025 No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.

"A year after the Dončić trade, three months after firing Harrison, this was their only path forward," Katz stated. "To start over. To clear their deck of the ruins an individual no longer present had caused."

Davis has one more year on his contract after this season and will be eligible for a contract extension this summer. Katz reported that the 32-year-old will likely "ask for big money this summer," which further influenced Dallas' decision to trade him.

"The Mavericks knew the price of his extension would be too rich for them, a league source said," Katz stated. "Throwing cash at Davis would have hampered a future they hope to form around the 19-year-old Flagg."

At 19-31, the Mavs are unlikely to contend for a playoff spot this season, and trading Davis signifies that the team is looking to build for the future.