Should the Wizards Extend Anthony Davis? Plus Three More Big Questions
The 10-time All-Star becomes extension-eligible this week as Washington weighs its next move. Plus: Jamir Watkins' injury, the veteran free-agent market and what should qualify as success this season.
This week brings another potentially seismic moment for the Washington Wizards after an offseason filled with them.
With that in mind, let’s answer four questions on what’s happened and what’s next — from Anthony Davis’ contract situation to replacing Jamir Watkins, from veteran free agents to how much a playoff push really matters.
What do you think will and should happen with any Anthony Davis contract extension talks?
It’s the question of the week in Wizards land, and there’s no obvious answer that satisfies both sides.
Davis is eligible on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET to sign a four-year, $275 million contract extension. That’s $68.75 million annually. It must be cool to potentially receive a raise when you are set to earn $58,456,566 for the 2026–27 season and hold a $62.8 million player option for 2027–28.
Eligibility is not the same as expected to sign.
I can’t imagine the Wizards or any team giving the perennially injured 10-time All-Star that kind of deal. Davis, 33, has played more than 56 games only once since helping the Lakers win the 2020 “bubble” championship.
The Wizards haven’t abandoned their rebuilding track behind seven recent first-round picks. The front office values Davis’s experience and talent alongside the rising players, including A.J. Dybantsa, the No. 1 selection in June’s draft. Washington also wants to preserve long-term financial flexibility before extensions for this young core begin arriving around 2028.
Few big men can match his game-altering skills on both ends of the court, which is why some contending teams might come calling if the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft looks the part ahead of the league’s February 11, 2027 trade deadline.
And yet, why would Davis willingly accept less annually when he remains a top-20 player — when healthy?
Threading that needle seems daunting if not impossible.
There are understandable nerves after Washington surprisingly signed Trae Young to a four-year, $212 million extension last month.
The front office views Young, 27, differently. The young roster needed a viable point guard, and this one with career averages of 25.1 points and 9.8 assists has a 2021 Eastern Conference Finals appearance and four All-Star selections on the résumé.
One development working in Washington’s favor is the league’s changing financial landscape. Teams appear increasingly reluctant to hand out or absorb massive contracts for aging stars simply because they’ve earned them.
Boston’s recent Jaylen Brown trade illustrated that reality, as his enormous long-term salary helped suppress the return. Finding a trade partner with Davis holding a bloated contract at age 35 and beyond would be significantly more challenging.
My best guess is both sides agree to wait. Davis has his player option cushion. He can establish a stronger negotiating stance with any team if he stays on the court and balls out. The Wizards should be in no rush for any longer-term commitments.
If Washington’s hopes of reaching the play-in — or even the playoffs outright — fade, Davis’ near-expiring contract could become a valuable trade asset at the deadline. There’s also minimal sunk-cost concern considering the light haul Washington sent Dallas for Davis.
That’s why I expect these talks get kicked down the road. There’s no apparent rift between Davis and the Wizards, no matter how often the public debate veers toward contractual beef. Davis has repeatedly stated his positive impression of Washington’s operation and plans.
I wouldn’t fret about the resolution coming close to 4-for-$275 million territory. Let’s see if there’s a contract extension sweet spot everyone feels comfortable signing.
