Anthony Davis Could Request A Trade If Wizards Start Poorly This Season

The Washington Wizards experienced a major roster overhaul this summer, and it has drastically changed their position in the Eastern Conference. With the additions of Anthony Davis, Trae Young, and rookie AJ Dybantsa, they went from NBA afterthoughts to playoff contenders over a few short months.

Going into this new season, expectations are mixed for the new-look Wizards, but how long they stay together may depend entirely on how the team plays in the first quarter of action. According to one league insider, early struggles could be all that’s needed for Anthony Davis to force his way out and demand a trade.

“This summer, Davis looked to be in shape and happy working out with the Wizards in Las Vegas, but how long either lasts remains to be seen,” reported Ohm Youngmisuk. “The Wizards and Davis mutually decided to wait on talks on a potential extension until after the season starts, but depending on how the season begins for Washington, the big man might seek a trade.”

Anthony Davis did ask to join the Wizards, but he had to accept his reality after a trade from the Dallas Mavericks in February. Despite being on the roster for months now, he has yet to play a single game for the franchise after sitting out the 2025-26 campaign to regain his strength.

Currently, the veteran big man is up for a massive contract extension, with a $62.7 million player option for 2027-28. As a 10x All-Star and NBA champion, Davis has made it clear that he desires max-level money, but both he and the Wizards have agreed to postpone negotiations until they see how he fits with the team.

With career averages of 24.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game on 52.2% shooting, the 33-year-old center can clearly stuff the stat sheet, and he’s known to make a huge impact on the floor. At his age, however, Davis doesn’t quite fit with the Wizards’ younger timeline. That’s not to mention his long history of injuries, which is reason enough to hesitate on giving Davis a massive extension.

So, if the Wizards are showing early signs of struggle, it could be all the justification Anthony Davis needs to force his way out and demand a competitive environment. The Wizards could then turn around and trade him to the highest bidder, securing whatever assets they can to continue rebuilding their team. As for which teams might step up for Davis, they would have to be willing to extend his contract for at least a few years.

As currently constructed, the Golden State Warriors make an ideal fit for Davis. They are known to need help in the frontcourt, and his presence alongside Stephen Curry could make a massive difference. There’s also a team like the Boston Celtics. Coming off the Jaylen Brown trade, they could use more firepower, and AD would help them in a number of ways with his size and defensive abilities.

Ultimately, there’s no way to know how this saga plays out until the season begins, but there’s a lot at stake for the Wizards. To keep this group together and the good vibes rolling, it’s going to require complete focus and total dedication starting from the opening night of the season. Fortunately, they have a pretty favorable set of games out of the gate, including against the Bucks, Raptors, Bulls, Hornets, and Cavaliers.