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 Thursday’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
The Mavericks didn’t keep Branham for long, sending him to the Charlotte Hornets in another trade on Thursday.
The Charlotte Hornets are trading Tyus Jones to the Dallas Mavericks for Malaki Branham, sources tell ESPN. Mavericks have had interest in Jones this season and get him today. Hornets open up a $7 million trade exception.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 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 lands in Charlotte 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 who were involved in NBA trades this week, as the Hornets also acquired Mike Conley from the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, one day after the Bulls acquired Conley from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Conley’s time as a Hornet was brief, however, as they waived him on Thursday. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday that Conley is expected to return to Minnesota.
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).
