The Washington Wizards were rumored to be interested in trading Anthony Davis for Jalen Duren, but The Athletic’s story was later updated with a retraction of that claim (subscription required). The premise centered on Duren’s contract standoff with Detroit, but the AD mention is just the beginning of the rumors if the future Hall of Famer sticks to his claims from Media Day.
Davis is in the final guaranteed season of his contract. He is set to make $58.4 million and has a $62.7 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign. If AD declines it, he would become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. The Wizards can’t risk losing him for nothing, but Davis said he plans to wait until after this season to discuss a new deal with his current franchise.
“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.”
Washington cannot wait that long. They shouldn’t let AD get to free agency. If he is unwilling to talk about an extension, the Wizards should trade him before the deadline. Whenever a superstar is on the block, the rumors run wild, so this retracted Pistons one is just the start.
Anthony Davis changed extension timeline at Media Day
The Wizards declined to extend Anthony Davis when he became eligible on Aug. 6. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the two sides planned to revisit 20 games into the regular season. Washington wanted to see how AD fit, and the superstar rightfully has questions about the Wizards being competitive.
Giving it time made sense. The Wizards gave up two first-round draft picks and three second-rounders to land Davis, but none of those were premium selections. Washington clearly values the ten-time All-Star. They know their young roster will get expensive quickly, and AD still hasn’t played a game with the franchise. He has to want to be in the nation’s capital for this to work long-term.
Davis saying that he plans to play out this season changes things. Now the pressure is on the Wizards. They have to offer a massive contract, risk him departing with zero return in free agency, or trade him. Any option is a bold move that could backfire.
AD has been in sticky situations before and is used to finding a way out of them.
Anthony Davis is no stranger to trade rumors
Davis has been traded three times. He demanded his way to the Lakers in 2019 after seven years with the Pelicans. Los Angeles shipped him to Dallas in the stunning Luka Doncic trade, and the Mavericks moved on after just 29 games. Nico Harrison, the architect of Dallas' disastrous trade, was fired. The Mavs quickly realized that AD was never going to work because fans would always view him as the key piece of the return in the Doncic deal.
Davis was in trade rumors this summer. The sides had a chance to end them with an extension, but it didn’t happen. AD poured gas on this fire to open training camp. He has played this game before and ended up where he wanted. Davis and his agent Rich Paul are not afraid to do it again.
Don’t expect the 6’10 big man to get uncomfortable. AD put the pressure on the Wizards, and they have a clear deadline to act.
Wizards have until the Feb. 11 trade deadline to make an Anthony Davis decision
Washington is on the clock. They have until the Feb. 11 trade deadline to extend or trade Davis. They can’t let the ten-time All-Star get to free agency. AD has a lengthy injury history, but he still produces like a superstar when he’s on the court. Davis isn’t turning down over $62 million without a plan. He will have a new place picked out if he reaches the open market.
The Wizards can extend him at any point. The 33-year-old needs to earn it on the floor and want to stay in Washington. Those are questions at this stage.
The trade rumors won’t go away if Anthony Davis sticks to the plan he outlined at Media Day. The Washington Wizards must extend or trade him this season. It is a difficult decision given the contract demands and the superstar’s injury history. The Athletic retracted a rumor about Washington being interested in trading AD for Duren, but that was just the start. Without a new deal, there will be chatter.
The Wizards have to discuss deals ahead of the trade deadline if Davis won’t extend. They are attempting to exit a rebuild and must manage their assets wisely. That means maximizing AD’s value. Do not be surprised to hear more rumblings over the next four-plus months. That is the way these situations go.
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