What Happened to Anthony Davis?
Anthony Davis is a highly accomplished NBA center/power forward, known for his defensive prowess and offensive versatility. After winning an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, he was surprisingly traded to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025 and then to the Washington Wizards in February 2026. Currently, he is recovering from a left hand ligament injury sustained in January 2026 and is not expected to return for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Quick Answer
Anthony Davis was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2025, and then to the Washington Wizards in February 2026. He is currently sidelined with ligament damage in his left hand, an injury sustained on January 8, 2026, and is not expected to play for the rest of the 2025-26 NBA season. Davis has expressed feeling disrespected by the Lakers regarding his initial trade. He is rehabbing for the 2026-27 season with the Wizards.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Drafted First Overall by New Orleans Hornets
Anthony Davis was selected as the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets (later Pelicans), marking the start of his professional career.
Signed Rookie Extension with Pelicans
Davis signed a designated rookie scale extension with the New Orleans Pelicans, a 5-year contract worth over $127 million, solidifying his status as a franchise cornerstone.
Traded to Los Angeles Lakers
After requesting a trade, Anthony Davis was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal, joining LeBron James to form a formidable duo.
Wins NBA Championship with Lakers
Anthony Davis achieved his first NBA championship, playing a pivotal role alongside LeBron James in leading the Los Angeles Lakers to victory in the 2020 NBA Finals.
Signed Veteran Contract with Lakers
Following their championship win, Davis signed a 5-year, $189.9 million veteran contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Marries Marlen Polanco Davis
Anthony Davis married Marlen Polanco Davis in a star-studded ceremony at The Beverly Hills Hotel, with whom he shares three children.
Signs Record Extension with Lakers
Davis agreed to a three-year, $186 million contract extension with the Lakers, making it the richest annual agreement in league history at an average of $62 million per season, effective from the 2025-26 season.
Traded to Dallas Mavericks for Luka Dončić
In a shocking move before the 2024-25 trade deadline, Anthony Davis was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Dončić. Davis later expressed feeling disrespected by the Lakers' handling of the trade.
Sustains Left Hand Ligament Damage
While playing for the Dallas Mavericks, Davis suffered ligament damage in his left (non-shooting) hand during a game against the Utah Jazz, an injury that would sideline him for an extended period.
Traded to Washington Wizards
Ahead of the 2025-26 trade deadline, Anthony Davis was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Washington Wizards in an eight-player deal. He has yet to play for the Wizards due to injury.
Not Expected to Return for 2025-26 Season
Wizards head coach Brian Keefe announced that Anthony Davis is not expected to play again in the 2025-26 season, as the team focuses on his rehabilitation for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.
Discusses Lakers Trade on Draymond Green Show
Anthony Davis publicly shared his lingering frustration and feeling of disrespect regarding the Lakers' trade of him to the Mavericks in 2025, citing a lack of communication from the organization.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Anthony Davis, a dominant force in the NBA, has experienced significant career shifts in recent years. After being drafted first overall in 2012 and establishing himself as a superstar with the New Orleans Pelicans, he achieved his ultimate goal of an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 alongside LeBron James. His tenure with the Lakers saw him sign a lucrative three-year, $186 million contract extension in August 2023, which commenced with the 2025-26 season and runs through 2027-28, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league on an average annual basis.
However, his time in Los Angeles came to an unexpected end. In a blockbuster trade before the 2024-25 deadline in February 2025, Davis was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Dončić. This move reportedly caught Davis by surprise, and he later expressed feeling disrespected by the Lakers organization due to a perceived lack of communication regarding the trade. He stated on 'The Draymond Green Show' in April 2026 that he felt he 'deserved much more respect' given his six years and a championship with the team.
His stint with the Mavericks was relatively short and marred by injuries. During the 2025-26 season, Davis played only 20 games for Dallas, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He battled multiple setbacks, including a left calf strain, groin spasms, and an adductor strain. A significant injury occurred on January 8, 2026, when he sustained ligament damage to his left (non-shooting) hand during a game against the Utah Jazz.
Ahead of the 2025-26 trade deadline in February 2026, Davis was part of another major trade, moving from the Dallas Mavericks to the Washington Wizards in an eight-player deal. Since joining the Wizards, he has yet to make his debut for the team due to his ongoing hand injury. As of April 9, 2026, Davis has been cleared for light contact and is progressing in his recovery, but head coach Brian Keefe confirmed on April 7, 2026, that Davis is not expected to play again this season, with the team focusing on his rehabilitation for the 2026-27 campaign. Despite the recent team changes and injury setbacks, Davis, now 33, remains a prominent figure in the NBA, with an estimated net worth of nearly $190 million as of early 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Anthony Davis made different choices?