No Dunks Emergency Pod | Mavericks Trade Anthony Davis To Wizards

Date: February 4, 2026
Hosts: Je Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kirby
Podcast: No Dunks / iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This emergency episode dives into the jaw-dropping eight-player trade that sent Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks to the Washington Wizards on the eve of the NBA trade deadline. The guys break down the motivations, winners, and long-term impact of the blockbuster move, discuss what it means for both franchises, and touch on another big trade of the day: Jared McCain to OKC. Throughout, the familiar mix of sharp analysis and playful banter keeps things lively for hoops fans trying to make sense of shifting NBA power dynamics.

Main Trade Details [03:16]

Trade:

• To Wizards: Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell, Dante Exum
• To Mavericks: Khris Middleton, A.J. Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks (2026 OKC #30, 2030 Warriors 21–30 protected), three second-round picks

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Wizards’ Perspective

• Low Cost for High Upside:
  • Wizards didn’t give up significant youth or prime picks—most key prospects (Keyshawn George, Alex Sarr, Trey Johnson) remain.
  • Both first-rounders are late: 2026 OKC (#30 overall) and a heavily protected 2030 Warriors pick.
  • Quote (Taz Melas, 04:14):
    “The Washington Wizards didn’t give up a lot. … That’s like the best second rounder you can get. That’s all that is.”
• Strategy Shift for Rebuilding Teams:
  • Using cap space to absorb contracts and accelerate out of a long rebuild. Wizards want respectability rather than perpetual tanking.
  • Quote (Trey Kirby, 06:15):
    “When you’ve won 15 games followed by 18 games, then a 13 and 36 season, that play-in starts looking like a juicy steak in a Tom and Jerry cartoon.”
  • Defense could be strong with AD and Sarr covering for Trae Young.
• Impact on Youth:
  • Questions if bringing in established stars (AD, Trae) will stunt younger players’ development, but locker room vets may help.

Mavericks’ Perspective

• Underwhelming Return:
  • No blue-chip young talent from the Wizards; main assets are late picks and veteran salary.
  • Quote (Je Skeets, 08:01):
    “A little bummed to see in a trade with the Wizards, they didn’t get any of their young guys... It was really just those picks.”
  • Reflects downward spiral since trading Luka Doncic for AD; Dallas now retools focus around Cooper Flagg.
• Trade Timing & Value:
  • Skepticism on why Dallas didn’t wait for potentially better offers in the offseason—AD still had time on his deal.
  • Quote (Taz Melas, 09:43):
    “Why didn’t they just wait till the offseason to see if there was something better than a high first-round pick…? He didn’t have to play basketball at all this season.”
• Transition Era:
  • Clear signal that it’s “Cooper Flagg time” and almost everyone else (except perhaps Kyrie Irving) is available for trade.
  • Quote (Trey Kirby, 15:06):
    “At the very least, I think everybody else on the Mavericks is definitely available…”

The Anthony Davis Angle

• Injury and Reliability Issues:
  • Repeated references to AD’s propensity for injuries and the risk for the Wizards.
  • Quote (Trey Kirby, 07:54):
    “He’s hurt currently. And apparently, this is the best the Mavericks are going to do because they don’t want to pay the guy.”
• Contract Extension Speculation:
  • General expectation: A Davis extension will soon be negotiated – part of why he accepted the trade.
  • Wizards’ history of risky veteran contracts brought up humorously.
  • Quote (Trey Kirby, 13:23):
    “They paid John [Wall]. They gave John Wall a giant contract when he was injured. They gave Gilbert Arenas a giant contract when he was injured. They love to do this.”

Impact for Both Sides

• Wizards Get Respectability:
  • Aiming for the play-in tournament or even the 7th spot as tangible progress.
  • Quote (Trey Kirby, 06:55):
    “That 10 seed’s looking nice. Next year, they might get up to seventh. But that’s an advancement, right?”
• Dallas Resets Around Youth:
  • Focus is on Cooper Flagg, possibly Kyrie, and moving out veterans to accumulate more picks or prospects.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Play-in Aspiration Humor:
  • Trey Kirby (06:15): “When you’ve won 15 games followed by 18 games, then a 13 and 36 season, that play-in starts looking like a juicy steak in a Tom and Jerry cartoon.”
• Wizards’ Contract History:
  • Trey Kirby (13:23): “They paid John Wall a giant contract when he was injured. They gave Gilbert Arenas a giant contract when he was injured. They love to do this.”
• On Mavs’ Haul for AD:
  • Je Skeets (08:01): “A little disappointing in the return, especially…this is the guy you traded Luka Doncic for.”
• D’Angelo Russell's Career Trajectory:
  • Trey Kirby (23:49): “D’Angelo Russell feels like he was made to be a Washington Wizard.”
  • Je Skeets (23:54): “I had to double-check that he hadn’t already played for the Wizards!”

Other Trade: Jared McCain to OKC [24:26]

• Trade:
  • To Thunder: Jared McCain
  • To 76ers: 2026 Rockets first-round pick (#26), three 2nd-rounders
• Hosts’ Reactions:
  • Smart “buy-low” by OKC, who use their pick surplus and get a potential offensive spark plug.
  • Philly frees up roster and a pick, possibly to address needs elsewhere or open minutes.
• Taz Melas (24:53):
  "OKC did it again…This just smells like OKC success. This is, this is a great move for them."
• Trey Kirby (26:25):
  "The Thunder can use another guy who can create with the ball in his hands, can shoot from outside, so this is decent."

Season Outlooks and Speculation

• Wizards’ Over/Under Next Year:

  • Discussion about projected win totals, optimistic that 34–40 wins (or play-in) are realistic if AD and Trae are healthy.
  • Trey Kirby (23:07): “Give me 40, 40 and a half. Is the line okay. Can you finish 500?”
  • Je Skeets (23:15): “I'm taking the under if it's 500, I'll tell you right now.”

• Dallas’ Next Moves:

  • Expect more deals to come as remaining veterans become available.

Fun & Bantz

• Najee Marshall jokes about "trying to do Cooper Flagg’s laundry" to stay in Dallas (15:41).
• Skeets’ heart “skipped a beat” thinking Raptors might land AD (09:01).
• Tas's wife misunderstanding "Pat McAfee" during the lunch trade bomb drop (09:43).
• “It’s not Pat McCaffey, it’s not Path McAfee, it’s Pat McAfee.” - Tas Melas (33:24).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trade Announcement & Details: 03:07–04:14
• Initial Reactions, Wizards Side: 04:14–07:54
• Mavs’ Perspective, Value Discussion: 08:01–09:43
• Contract & Future Outlook for AD: 12:14–13:23
• Franchise Outlook—Wizards & Play-in Debate: 17:46–23:15
• Secondary Trade (McCain): 24:26–29:30
• Show Wrap Up and Future Rumors: 31:01–33:34

Summary

The guys unanimously termed the Anthony Davis trade as an unexpected but logical fit for a Wizards team desperate to become competitive and escape the NBA basement. The Mavericks’ return is viewed as underwhelming, but the hosts agree there was little better out there, especially due to AD’s age and injury history. Meanwhile, OKC's opportunistic add of Jared McCain fits their model perfectly. Both deals hint at a new trade-deadline landscape where even big names move not just for title runs but for play-in relevance, and roster reshuffles shape the future on the fly.

Final Thoughts: If you care about team-building math, post-prime superstar value, and relentless NBA rumor-mongering—with plenty of laughs—this is essential listening for trade season.