Two former Ohio State players were included in an eight-player trade between the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards on Wednesday.
D’Angelo Russell was one of four players traded by the Mavericks to the Wizards while Malaki Branham was one of four players going from Washington to Dallas in return as part of a trade centered around Anthony Davis ahead of Wednesday’s NBA trade deadline.
BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Washington Wizards for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2 first-round picks and 3 second-rounders, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/sfrQQubI5i
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 4, 2026
Russell goes to Washington after a partial season in Dallas, where he appeared in 26 games this year and averaged 10.2 points, four assists and 2.3 rebounds in 19 minutes per game, primarily coming off the bench.
Branham goes to Dallas after a partial season in Washington, where he appeared in 28 games this season and averaged 4.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 9.8 minutes per game off the bench.
They’re two of three former Ohio State players to be involved in NBA trades in two days, as the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Mike Conley to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
They‘re among seven players who finished their college careers at Ohio State currently playing in the NBA, along with Jamison Battle (Toronto Raptors), E.J. Liddell (Brooklyn Nets), Brice Sensabaugh (Utah Jazz) and Jae’Sean Tate (Houston Rockets).
