Monday marked the first time Anthony Davis was made available to speak to the media since the Wizards traded for him ahead of the February deadline, writes Josh Robbins of The Athletic. As Robbins observes, the Wizards held a press conference after they traded for Trae Young in early January, but didn’t do the same for Davis a month later.
According to Robbins, the 33-year-old big man raised doubts on Monday about the Wizards’ ability to quickly transition from the NBA’s worst team to a contender. Davis made it clear he wants to have lengthy talks with president Michael Winger and GM Will Dawkins this offseason about how Washington intends to become a championship-caliber team in 2026/27 or 2027/28.
“I’ve been in this league a long time, and I’ve been with losing teams, been on losing teams,” Davis said. “It’s very hard to be a losing team and then a championship contender, right? I think one team has only done it: Boston in ’08. The only team, right? Even when I was in New Orleans and we had two losing seasons, then we made the playoffs our third year — that, within itself, is a huge jump: showing that you want to be on a path to winning.
“And that’s what it takes. So, if something comes out of the conversation where that’s the path — and, obviously, you won’t know until the season starts — that’s what I would like to see. What is our plan for winning going into next season? And how? Not like this is a plan, but how do we execute that? And based on that, we’ll kind of see what happens.”
As Robbins notes, the “see what happens” comment raised some eyebrows and led to a follow-up question asking whether Davis expected to be on the roster to open next season. The 10-time All-Star will earn a guaranteed $58.5MM in ’26/27, followed by a $62.8MM player option for ’27/28.
“Yeah, I mean, I’m under contract,” Davis replied. ” … Whether we figure something out in the summer (that’s) good or bad, whatever … if it doesn’t get figured out, then come October, mid-October, late October, I will have a Washington Wizards uniform on, and I will go out there, and I will do everything I can to win a basketball game. That’s never going to change.
“ … In the summer, right now, I’m going to compete, train and have the mindset that I will be here next year. Not only because I’m under contract, but also, I like these young guys. I ain’t going to lie. I feel like they’re all my children.”
Davis was complimentary of the Wizards’ young players as well as the franchise as a whole, saying his previous (negative) perception of the franchise wasn’t accurate, Robbins adds.
“The organization is a very good organization. Ted [Leonsis] is a great owner, the coaching staff and the players, their development. Obviously, the city is phenomenal,” Davis said, per Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network.
Because the Wizards had the worst record in the league, they can finish no worse than fifth in the draft lottery, with a 52.1% chance at a top-four pick, including 14.0% odds at selecting No. 1 overall. They also have young players like Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George who are considered part of the team’s core, Robbins writes.
Still, Davis made it clear he’s on the fence about Washington’s short-term direction, per Robbins. The 10-time All-Star appeared in a career-low 20 games this season due to a variety of injuries, including ligament damage in his left hand that prevented him from making his Wizards debut in ’25/26.
The Wizards could be an interesting team next year. Rant all depends on of they can hold on to Trae and AD for the whole year and keep them healthy.
“Big” Trae @ the PG
“Lil” Tre @ SG
K. George/ Will Riley @ SF
AD, Sarr, Vukcevic @ PF/C
Then the wildcard is whoever they draft plus some good young guys surgery if the bench or trade chips in Coulibaly, Carrington, etc
I think what AD is really doing is posturing to get a year or two tacked onto his contract
To extend him would be worse than trading for Embiid or signing Jaden Ivey.
Not that guy, just turn up ready to play. That’s the extent of your involvement in team decisions.
Seriously. He never plays anymore. He’s not the guy anymore to make a franchise bend over backwards for him. Maybe start playing basketball first, you know, the thing you’re getting paid 60 million dollars to do??? The entitlement on these guys…..
If healthy AD and Sarr make one of the best big man duos.
Both great defenders, AD has averaged 20 his whole career (besides his rookie year) and Sarr improved a lot year 1 to year 2. Year 3 im expecting him to be knocking on the door of being a 20 points per game guy too.
Trae is overhated, he’s one of the best playmaking point guards and has unbelievable range and a great floater.
As for the wings they have George, Coulibaly, Champagne and Riley.
It’s really about staying healthy and having the right coaching staff to get the best development out of the young guys.
On top of that they have a guaranteed top 5 pick with the best odds at number getting first overall. They also have the second most cap space to spend in FA.
I’d be surprised if they don’t make the playoff or play in especially in the weak eastern conference
He sounds thrilled to be there…
Washington needs to build around George and Sarr; drafting Peterson would be ideal for them. They could make a playoff push if everyone stays healthy.