The Washington Wizards have until the Feb. 11 trade deadline to make a decision on Anthony Davis’ future. They need to extend or trade the ten-time All-Star before that date, or the Wizards risk losing him with zero return in free agency. The two sides already agreed to postpone extension talks. Washington wants to see AD in their uniform, but decision time is coming quickly.
Davis is set to make $58.4 million this season and has a $62.7 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign. He can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. AD has a lengthy injury history, which further complicates this problem. He will want a massive extension. The Wizards have to decide if he is a long-term piece or a trade chip before the February deadline.
Washington can’t drag this out too far. Davis will have suitors if he reaches the open market, and he didn’t request a trade to the nation’s capital. The Wizards wisely bought low on AD, but the deal only looks good if they can maximize the asset. Letting him walk with zero return after one season would make the two first-round draft picks and three seconds they gave up seem like an overpay.
Wizards can’t give Anthony Davis a max extension
AD is eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension (subscription required) that would pay him until 2031. AD is already 33 years old and has played in 65 or more games just once since 2019. Washington can’t afford to be paying him $65-plus million in 2031.
This is likely Davis’ last chance at a massive contract. He wants the maximum number of years and dollars in this new deal. It is part of the reason that Dallas moved on so quickly after the disastrous Luka Doncic trade. A massive contract with AD comes with significant risks.
The second apron era changed things. Teams do not want to exceed that limit, so getting a max deal is more difficult for players. Centers don’t come cheap, but AD is unlikely to get a full max. He will be paid handsomely, especially with Rich Paul representing him. The Wizards extending him creates issues elsewhere.
Anthony Davis extension has ripple effects on the Wizards
The Wizards are no longer a rebuilding team. They traded for Trae Young and gave him a $212 million extension. Washington wants to get back into contention and will quickly have an expensive roster.
Bilal Coulibaly is extension-eligible right now and will be a restricted free agent in 2027 if a new deal isn’t struck. Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Bub Carrington will be restricted in 2028. Tre Johnson and Will Riley are up in 2029. The Wizards can’t keep everyone, and the math gets more complicated if AD is making $50-plus million per year.
Washington has to decide who is a long-term piece and what players are expendable. They would be wise to learn from the Oklahoma City Thunder and trade the pieces they don’t want for additional assets.
Anthony Davis extension talks must end in a new contract or trade
The Wizards can’t postpone this beyond the trade deadline. They need to leave the talks with a new deal in place or a decision to trade AD to the highest bidder. Davis will have some leverage as he is effectively in the final year of his contract. He can tell any team he doesn't want to join that he won't extend.
Acquiring a center isn’t cheap. The Lakers just gave up two first-round draft picks and two swaps to get Walker Kessler. Mitchell Robinson got $47.3 million in free agency. Even Jock Landale got a one-year, $14.1 million contract. Washington will have no issues getting value for AD with those price points already set.
Davis will draw plenty of interest if he hits the open market. Washington parted with five draft picks to land AD. None of them were premium assets, but that is too much for one season of the ten-time All-Star. The Wizards need to trade him if they can’t work out an extension.
The Washington Wizards have less than five months to get things figured out with Anthony Davis. It is a difficult decision. The Wizards want to contend and know AD helps. They need him to stay healthy and become a key piece of their core. If not, Washington should trade him before the deadline to recoup some assets.
The timeline is clear, so fans won’t have to wait long to see how this all plays out. If February 11th passes with no extension or trade, the Wizards have made a mistake. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.
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