It’s been a transformative summer for the Washington Wizards. Just a few months removed from their 15th-place finish in the East, they are poised to be among the most competitive teams in their division next season.
While the Wizards are still very much a young team, they have a pair of win-now veterans leading the way that should put them in the playoff picture. Specifically, the presence of Anthony Davis raises the Wizards’ ceiling, and that’s why it’s imperative they come to terms on an extension this summer. With eligibility starting on August 6th, the latest intel suggests that the Wizards are determined to bring him back, but that doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed.
“He’s eligible for four years and $270+ million, and he’s the big extension player to watch this offseason. They made the trade to keep Anthony Davis. I know we’ve heard a lot about his name and speculation, but I would look for them to get a deal done,” said Bobby Marks on NBA Today. “The question is, what is the number gonna be? This is a player who has missed a lot of games before, but if there’s a compromise to reach, there’s an extension to be had here.”
Davis, 33, was traded to the Wizards last season after just 29 games with the Dallas Mavericks. He has yet to play a game for the franchise after an extended hiatus, and rumors were swirling that he would rather leave to pursue an opportunity elsewhere. Notably, his ex-teammate, LeBron James, was reportedly trying to get him to the Warriors before he ended up in Philly.
Publicly, both Davis and Rich Paul (Davis’ agent) have expressed willingness to return to the Wizards if they make the right offer. In just two days, he’ll be eligible for the full $270 million max, which would pay Davis over $50 million per year into his late 30s. It’s a steep price to pay for someone at his age, and it’s hard to justify with his extensive injury history.
Nevertheless, the Wizards are convinced that Anthony Davis can help them achieve their goals, and they may be willing to pay in order to prove it. At 6’10”, Davis’ size is a bonus to any frontcourt, and he can produce big numbers with career averages of 24.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game on 50.6% shooting from the field.
The hope is that, alongside Trae Young, AJ Dybantsa, and Alex Sarr, Anthony Davis can provide the rim presence that proved so crucial for the Lakers. It would be a great way to stabilize the defense and give the Wizards an answer for some of the NBA’s most elite big men.
So, while a huge extension for Davis could essentially handicap the Wizards, it’s a gamble they are more than willing to take right now given their current situation. With an opportunity to finally be competitive, D.C. isn’t about to let their star big man walk without at least trying to negotiate. With league-wide interest in Davis still relatively low, they may yet be able to negotiate a more team-friendly deal to maintain some flexibility.
