The Washington Wizards don’t intend to trade veteran forward Anthony Davis after acquiring him at last season’s trade deadline, ESPN reported on Tuesday.
Buzz about a potential trade for Davis emerged on Monday when ESPN reported that the Golden State Warriors intended to pursue LeBron James in free agency and trade for Davis to reunite the teammates who won the 2020 NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James confirmed Tuesday that he’s going to leave the Lakers, but Washington seems to be making the second half of those plans difficult. It was reported last week that the Wizards are set to sign Trae Young to a four-year, $212 million deal after also trading for him at the trade deadline.
Davis will be eligible for a four-year, $275 million contract extension on Aug. 6, a deal that would replace the player option he currently has for the 2027-28 season. Inking those two to longer-term deals and pairing them with No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa gives the Wizards a core of sorts as they look to snap a five-year playoff drought.
Davis, 33, still hasn’t made his Washington debut as he was sidelined with ligament damage in his left hand when sent over from the Dallas Mavericks in February. He played a career-low 20 games last season, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.7 blocks, and has battled injuries frequently, playing more than 56 games just once in the last six seasons.
The 10-time All-Star has career averages of 24.0 points and 10.7 rebounds in 807 games (800 starts) over 14 seasons with the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans (2012-19), Los Angeles Lakers (2019-25) and Mavericks.
