The Washington Wizards have swung big at this year’s trade deadline in a way few may have expected them to. A number of trades and moves later, and they have a roster set for next season that may finally compete for a playoff spot.
First, they added Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks without having to include any draft picks. A few weeks later, they brought in Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks, giving them a legitimate All-Star caliber big man to pair with Alex Sarr.
In his new home, Davis will be going back to wearing #23. As noted on the Wizards broadcast and confirmed by Etienne Catalan (@NBA_Numerologist), the first since Michael Jordan to wear it. Big news there.
Davis is going to miss an extended period of time following his latest injury in Dallas before the trade. But, the promise of a better tomorrow has finally reached a team struggling to win ball-games.
Anthony Davis Joining Elite Company With #23 Jersey Choice
The days of Michael Jordan in Washington happened at the tail end of the legend’s career. Of course, the team did not make the playoffs, but they were certainly a fun team to watch with the league’s greatest player taking the court for them. Sort of hand-picking his own roster and coach, he was still able to score in the 20’s following a return after a three-year hiatus.
Averaging 23 ppg over his final NBA season, Jordan played in all 82 games at 37 minutes a night. The team went 38-44 and fell just short of the playoffs. He retired for a third and final time from then on, leaving #23 vacant.
And now, 23 years later, Anthony Davis will be repping it. LeBron James had not yet been in the association when the jersey was last worn. And now here we are with the 10X All-Star set to wear it.
With Davis, the team brings a legitimate established big man to the squad. It’s been a long time since D.C. has had a guy at his size who can impact the game the way he has. During the 2010’s playoff runs, guards Bradley Beal and John Wall were the ones leading the charge.
Of course, there was a brief Dwight Howard experiment, which lasted only nine games before a serious injury. Davis will set a new precedent in D.C., a team looking to start winning next year.
Being available to play is the biggest part of it all, but assuming he can get some real time for his new team, AD could be taking them to the playoffs very soon.
The New-Look Washington Wizards
Anthony Davis will be on the court eventually in D.C. He’ll be joined by Trae Young to form a duo of multi-time All-Stars. Each has been plagued by serious mishaps and injuries this season, so it is going to take a little time.
Joining guys like Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, and Kyshawn George out there, this is a group that should very well be good enough to make the leap. Having the #23 back for the first time since the Michael Jordan days should hopefully bring some good luck, too.
Washington has not made the postseason since their one-year Russell Westbrook experiment saw them go on a mid-season heater to take one of the final playoff spots for a date with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Good times are coming in Washington.
New Wizards Big Man First to Wear #23 in D.C. Since 2003