Paul Pierce drops a Wizards contender take that actually checks out

The Washington Wizards blockbuster trades for Anthony Davis and Trae Young already put all eyes on the rebuilding organization ahead of the 2026-27 season.

If the new superstar duo's arrival didn't already put enough pressure on the team's new-look roster, Paul Pierce's bold claim suggesting the Wizards will be better than the Indiana Pacers next season only adds to expectations.

One year removed from a trip to the 2025 NBA Finals, Pierce believes that the Wizards led by newly acquired Anthony Davis and Trae Young will surpass Indiana in the Eastern Conference next season.

Typically, I'd say expectations this high so soon would be outlandish, especially considering how drastically different the last few years have been for the two teams.

But when you really sit down and think about the former Wizards' take, it's not as crazy as it sounds.

Anthony Davis would be the best player on the Pacers

There's no doubt the Pacers have plenty of intriguing talent.

With the likes of Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and new starting center Ivica Zubac, Indiana is built to contend when they're fully healthy.

And while Haliburton is still in just entering his prime at 26, there's still no guarantee about how he'll look from his achilles injury when he returns to action.

Even then, there's an argument to be made that Davis at his best, even at 32, is still better than Haliburton.

As for Siakam, there's no doubt in my mind that the Wizards new big man is both more effective and talented then Indiana's versatile forward.

Beyond the Pacers star duo, while Zubac is a dominant big man, he's still a tier or two below Davis in terms of starting frontcourt weapons in the league.

Trae Young is just as good as Tyrese Haliburton

Whether it's because of how cheap it cost the Wizards to land him, or if it's simply because the Atlanta Hawks have been irrelevant over the last couple years, people seem to have forgotten just how good Young is.

The former No. 5 overall pick is one of the best playmaking guards in the league and his creativity on offense, mixed with his range as a sharpshooter, the Oklahoma product is still one of the premiere backcourt players in the league.

Haliburton deserves his flowers, but Pierce's claim that Young is on the same level is far from crazy.

Wizards supporting cast is younger, but just as solid

Obviously, supporting casts will be what seperates good teams from great ones.

Indiana has several key role players that just make Rick Carlisle's system that much more effective. With names like Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, T.J. McConnell and even Jay Huff coming to mind, there's no doubt the Pacers are equipped depth wise.

At the same time, in no way shape or form is the Wizards supporting cast a slouch. With rising stars Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George set to play a major role in the team's next steps, that alone is already an intriguing cast surrounding Davis and Young.

Not to mention the likes of Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly and Cam Whitmore highlighting the amount of talent on the team's roster.

Sure, it may take time for the Wizards to gel, and they might not be better than the Pacers—yet when you consider what Pierce is implying, it doesn’t sound as crazy as it first seems.