The Washington Wizards chose not to extend Anthony Davis when he became eligible this summer, and the ten-time All-Star made it clear that he doesn’t plan to ink a new deal this season at Media Day. AD sidestepped two questions about his future before giving this answer when asked how he will decide if he will remain here after this season.
“When the season is over. I am going to go through the season and try to do what I do at a high level. Then when it’s over, sit down and have those conversations with the front office.”
Davis has a $62.7 million player option for the 2027-28 season. He can decline it and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Wizards can’t allow the superstar to reach free agency. They traded for Trae Young and AD to get back into contention. They were bold moves at a questionable time. Washington wants to win, but they can’t lose Davis with zero return.
The Wizards have two options before the trade deadline. They need to trade AD or make a deal that convinces Davis to sign a long-term deal. Washington gave up two first-round draft picks and three second-rounders to land the ten-time All-Star. Davis still hasn’t played a game in the nation’s capital. That can’t be the cost for one season with AD.
Wizard should already be exploring Anthony Davis’ trade market
The two sides were rumored to be holding off on extension talks until 20 games into the season, according to Shams Charania. Washington wants to see AD healthy and how he fits next to Young and number one overall pick AJ Dybantsa. That made sense, but Davis changed the narrative at media day.
He talked about his excitement for the season and returning to the court, but offered nothing on his future until the direct answer about waiting until after this season. Washington cannot wait that long and risk losing Davis in free agency. He is an unrestricted free agent if he declines his player option, and the 33-year-old is searching for another massive payday.
The Wizards should explore his trade market now. It would just be laying the groundwork until closer to February’s deadline. Players who signed new contracts in the offseason are ineligible to be traded until December 15 or January 15. Still, productive talks now could lead to a deal ahead of the deadline.
Wizards' only other hope is another bold trade
The front office should keep the dialogue open with Rich Paul and AD. They need to know if this is a one-year situation.
LeBron James joined the 76ers this summer because Philadelphia made a bold trade for Jaylen Brown. Could the Wizards pull off something similar to keep Davis? They would need Paul to give the go-ahead, but it may be Washington’s only hope.
The Wizards have an exciting young core, but Davis wants to win now. He is 33 years old and has a lengthy injury history. The future Hall of Famer may not have many shots left to get a second championship. A win-now trade may increase his interest in staying in the nation’s capital.
Wizards need to get clarity quickly
The trade deadline is on February 11th. Washington has less than five months to figure out this situation. If AD is still on the roster after the deadline, the Wizards better have a handshake agreement on a new long-term deal.
This young squad must accumulate assets. Teams get expensive quickly in the second apron era. Fans have seen the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, and New York Knicks lose key pieces of their title squads because of financial issues. The Wizards can’t afford to let an all-time great walk out the door with zero in return in this era.
Anthony Davis plans to play out this season before deciding his future, but the Washington Wizards cannot wait that long. They need to decide before the deadline. It looks more and more likely that this will be a short stay for AD in the nation’s capital. The Wizards need to make a bold trade either way. Michael Winger and Will Dawkins should already be working the phones.
Add us as a preferred source on Google