In case the Washington Wizards are envisioning Anthony Davis as part of their long-term plan, they will need to start assembling a championship contender around The Brow ASAP.
That’s because he may have already hinted that he’s cool with leaving Washington if the franchise can’t build a team that can compete for a title. But if it’s any consolation, AD appears to think highly of the Wizards’ future.
“It’s hard to say (I would definitely stay in D.C.) without the proper plan,” Davis told The Athletic. “Obviously, it’s tough right now with the team. It shows with their record, but adding certain pieces, that can change. It’s year by year. They could be the No. 1 team in the East next year.”
The Wizards acquired Anthony Davis, along with Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum, in exchange for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley, two first-round picks, and three second-round picks.
Next Season Could Be a Trial for Anthony Davis, Wizards
What this likely means is that next season could amount to a trial for Anthony Davis and the Wizards. But as early as now, it looks like the one-time champ is already asking Washington higher-ups about their plans to contend for a championship.
“Obviously, at this time, every year, you want to compete for championships and stuff like that. That’s obviously the main focus, getting to that place. Conversations are going to be held to see about getting to that space,” Davis pointed out. “I’ve been everywhere the last two years. I want to see the plan, hear the plan, see the vision. Bringing Trae (Young) here and other things in store, what they’re thinking of doing, I want to have those conversations with them and see what happens. The city is obviously phenomenal.”
Davis is signed through next season for $58.5 million and has a $62.8 million player option for the 2027–28 NBA season, when he’ll be 34. In other words, he can bolt out of Washington at the end of the 2026–27 NBA season if the Wizards are still cellar-dwellers or aren’t championship material.
Then again, all that could hinge on Anthony Davis’s availability. If the oft-injured big man can avoid being sidelined for long stretches, his and Trae Young’s presence could certainly accelerate the young Wizards’ ascent to top-tier status.
