Washington Wizards star Anthony Davis comes with significant red flags.
The Wizards acquired Davis in a trade, knowing his history and that he would like a new contract with a player option coming up for the 2027-28 season.
However, if general manager Will Dawkins hoped to potentially trade Davis for a king’s ransom, a new report regarding trade interest in the big man this offseason offers clarity and a cold dose of reality.
Anthony Davis Could Have Wizards in Tough Situation
GettyAnthony Davis’ future continues to look like it is in Washington with the Wizards.
The Wizards acquired Davis from the Dallas Mavericks for a relative song, with two first-round picks–one of which was in a future year–the most valuable outgoing assets. They even re-signed Khris Middleton after sending him to Dallas as part of the deal.
However, the Wizards may have painted themselves into a corner.
Davis was thought to be a potential key swing piece in LeBron James’ free agency. More specifically, Davis appeared to be an option for the Golden State Warriors.
“LeBron chose the 76ers, and the Warriors are left to wonder what might have been,” The Ringer’s Logan Murdock wrote on July 29. “Should they have tried to trade Jimmy Butler and draft picks for Anthony Davis? At summer league in Las Vegas, a small contingent of Golden State’s front office pushed for that path, but AD’s injury history and desire for a new extension ultimately convinced team brass to stay put.”
Davis is in the penultimate season of a three-year, $175.3 million contract. He can decline his $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season. If he does, he will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.
In that situation, the Wizards risk losing Davis for nothing.
However, the Warriors were rightly concerned about Davis’ injury history. Davis made the bold claim that he was aiming to play in all 82 regular-season games. He has never done that.
The Wizards risk locking themselves into a deal that will not return equal value, assuming Davis’ extensive injury history continues. He played in 20 games last season, none of which were in a Wizards uniform.
Wizards Got High Valuation on AD
The Wizards received a strong take on the potential return for Anthony Davis in a trade.
ESPN’s Shams Charania detailed how the Warriors got assistance from Draymond Green to facilitate a potential trade with the Wizards for Davis.
He also estimated that it could take a hefty sum to pry Davis loose from the Wizards.
“I don’t think that’s going to be a conversation,” Charania said on the “Pat McAfee Show” on July 23. “It’s at a point now where if the Warriors were to get in that ballgame, they would have to give up multiple first-round picks, multiple draft picks, multiple swaps, all this other stuff.”
It is unclear if that was what the Wizards would ask for or simply an educated guess from Charania, who has long been viewed as a quasi-mouthpiece for Davis’ agency, Klutch Sports.
The Wizards must tread carefully with Davis.
His talent is undeniable, as he is a true difference-maker when healthy and on the court. He simply has not been available often enough to make the decision as clear-cut as it otherwise appears to be for Dawkins and the Wizards.
Wizards Get Cold Reality Check About Anthony Davis After Trade Interest