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 ’27/28.
“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
No extension whatsoever no matter what for these guys, or else they will get injured.
@Michol
Then what was the point of trading for them? They can’t usually get players to come to Atlanta and they have to pay someone. never said it would have to be the max.
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.
“Ted is a great owner” = “I saw what he paid Bradley Beal”
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
I’d go after Quentin Grimes to start at SG. They don’t need Peterson who misses loads of games. Grimes gives them a good defender, decent rebounder and offers some secondary scoring and playmaking. Go draft AJ at 1st overall.
Long term build around AJ and Sarr with a good amount of win now players to make a playoff push.
The other position to target in FA is a back up big behind AD and Sarr. Nurkic, Richard’s, Williams and Robinson could all be good targets
I’d rather have George than Grimes.
George is more of a 3 and Grimes a 2.
So hypothetically I’d be lining up
Young Grimes AJ AD Sarr
Johnson Couli George Champ Nurkic
Or something along those lines
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.
Draft Boozer trade AD
Nobody wants him. Washington traded for him with no first round picks and let Dallas get under the tax. I wouldn’t be surprised if they get a top 3 pho because of that.
14% chance of the number one pick means an 86% chance of not getting it. Hard to believe teams are setting fire to multiple seasons with those odds.
The Wizards have a 40.1 percent chance of getting a top 3 pick. Peterson, Dybansta or Boozer have the potential to be franchise altering players.No matter what they get a top 5 pick and the guys in in the 4-7 range should be very good as well.
AD wants another big deal. So you know he will play this yr. Don’t be fooled Wizards. Draft Boozer and trade AD by TD …… bye
Where?
Wherever
“So you know he will play this year”
He wanted a big deal (extension) from the Mavs, but only played 20 games.
He’s already top 4 highest paid next season, and his $62 mil player option in 27-28 will put him tied for top 3.
He gets paid whether he plays or not, so I’m expecting the trend of 50 games or less to continue.
He’s not getting a new deal if he doesn’t play. Player option means he can get his new deal next year. He is 33 yrs old. He might have his best yr ever lol.
Part one of The Big Plan – see if there’s some way to get superstar Anthony Davis to play in, say, half of next year’s games.
I hate how the media tries to trap players into making “controversial” comments. I know they are vultures and I should be used to this right now, but what the hell do you expect AD to say when he hasn’t played a single game for a team that will also look very different next year? Good thing I’m not a player because I’d definitely give some smartass comment just to troll them lol.
The plan is shut up and play and hopefully your healthy. You think you are LeBron but you are not.
Nobody wants AD. Washington did Dallas not only a big favor for not asking for any first round picks. They took on an extra 18m for them to get under the tax. I wouldn’t be a surprised guaranteed top 3 pick or better.
Street clothes already looking forward to resting next season.
Memphis and Indiana need SIlver to punish them because of their pathetic showings especially Memphis. (I’m a Memphis fan among others, I only liked the ABA Pacers)
Excited to see what Washington does at the draft. Either a PF and or a PG
What a self-absorbed egotistical person. Calling his new teammates “(his) children” probably isn’t going to make them appreciate him!
Davis is very overpaid for what he is now which is an injury prone older player. Get out from that contract should be the goal.
Give AD an extension NOW!
Buy nothing more than vet minimum!!
Hehe…