When the trade for Anthony Davis was reported, nobody expected the team to be the Washington Wizards...not even Davis himself.
Ahead of the NBA trade deadline, rumors swirled that the Dallas Mavericks could be looking to move on from the big man, but between the Mavericks' high asking price and the eventual hand injury to Davis, it seemed that the most likely outcome would be for the future Hall of Famer to stay put in the Western Conference.
Instead, the exact opposite happened.
Dallas was determined to move on from Davis and in large part because of the team's motivation to retool their roster around reigning No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg.
With Flagg proving to be the next cornerstone post Luka Doncic, the Mavericks make-shift front office of assistant general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi after firing Nico Harrison elected a retooling would be best for the organization.
As a result, Davis and his agent Rich Paul were notified that a trade was on the table, which is why Paul attempted to help negotiate deals in the teams behalf with the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors being two names mentioned.
However, when those suitors seemingly faded, the Mavericks front office continued conversations behind closed doors.
Not because they wanted to shock Davis, but because the only way they felt a deal would come into fruition is if the big man and his agent didn't intervene.
Mavericks-Wizards trade talks left Davis in the dark
In a recent report from NBA Insider Tim MacMahon of ESPN, it was revealed that both Davis and his agent were unaware of the ongoing conversations between Washington and Dallas ahead of the deadline.
"The Mavs negotiated with the Wizards without the knowledge of Davis and Paul, who weren't aware Washington was a serious suitor until the trade was done," MacMahon wrote.
All that to say, the secrecy from Davis may have been best for all parties involved at the end of the day.
Sure, nobody really wants to be traded, especially to a rebuilding situation.
Nonetheless, since arriving in Washington, Davis has seemingly grown fond of the team's long-term vision.
With exciting young talent, a superstar running mate in Trae Young and assets to continue building, the Wizards are a team on the rise and it appears that Davis sees that now.
The keyword? Now.
Prior to the move, it feels like Davis and his team would have opted to be moved to a different situation, which is exactly what the Mavericks feared.
Despite that, the outcome of this blockbuster deal could be best for all parties involved when it's all said and done.