Anthony Davis became eligible to sign a contract extension with the Washington Wizards this past Thursday, August 6th, but it sounds like a new deal isn’t happening anytime soon. Instead, Davis and the Wizards are reportedly planning to hold off on any “meaningful” contract talks until the actual season kicks off.
The Waiting Game Begins for DC
This whole situation is wild, right? The Wizards pulled off a blockbuster trade back at the 2026 deadline to grab Davis from the Dallas Mavericks. The catch? He still hasn’t even suited up for a single game for Washington. Last season with the Mavs, he played 20 games and was putting up solid numbers: 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. You’d think after trading for a star like that, you’d want him locked down ASAP, but nope, we wait.
Wizards Making Moves, But What About AD?
The rumors started flying almost immediately after the trade: would Davis even stay? The Wizards gave up relatively little to get him, just a No. 30 overall first-round pick and another that was top-20 protected. At 33 years old, Davis felt like a perfect fit for a team ready to win *now*, which the Wizards haven’t exactly been. Those whispers intensified when LeBron James hit free agency in July, with talk of a reunion with his former Los Angeles Lakers co-star, and the Golden State Warriors being front and center in those discussions. Despite all that noise, the Wizards and Davis’ camp haven’t given any hint this summer that a trade is on the table. Washington has been busy, though, making a massive financial commitment to Trae Young, who they got in January and then signed to a four-year, $212 million deal this summer. Young has only played five games in Washington. They also nabbed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, snagging AJ Dybantsa, who’s presumably set to start with Young and Davis. After winning just 50 games total over the last three seasons, the expectation now is that this new-look team, with two former All-Stars and a top pick, should at least be competitive.
So, what does this all mean for the Wizards? They’ve completely remade their roster in less than a year, gone all-in on a new core, but the biggest piece, Anthony Davis, is still an unknown long-term. With “meaningful” talks pushed to the season, every game Davis plays, or doesn’t play, will be under a microscope. Can this newly assembled squad gel and win right away? That’s the question hanging over Washington as they head into a season that’s suddenly loaded with pressure.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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