'Game Changer' Anthony Davis Will Be Playing to Get Traded or a Contract, Says NBA Exec

There's belief within the NBA that Washington Wizards star Anthony Davis has his sights set on a new contract or a trade heading into the 2026-27 season.

"It all comes down to him," a Western Conference executive told ESPN's Brian Windhorst . "He's going to be playing for a contract or maybe playing to get traded. He's a game changer."

Washington acquired Davis from the Dallas Mavericks as part of an eight-player swap on Feb. 4, although he didn't appear in a game with the team following the trade due to hand and groin injuries .

The 10-time All-Star will earn $58.5 million for the 2026-27 season before holding a $62.8 million player option for his 2027-28 campaign (via Spotrac ).

While Davis was the subject of trade rumors earlier this offseason, Wizards general manager Will Dawkins is reportedly a fan of the veteran and is not interested in moving him.

Still, Davis has yet to sign an extension with Washington.

According to Josh Robbins of The Athletic, any "meaningful talks" between Davis and the Wizards regarding a possible extension "will occur during the 2026-27 season, not before."

It's understandable that Washington wants to see the 33-year-old on the floor before negotiating a deal given his injury history, as he's appeared in just 71 of a possible 164 games over the past two seasons combined.

Davis has remained an imposing two-way force when healthy, though.

In 20 games with the Mavericks last season, he averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.7 blocks per game while connecting on 50.6 percent of his field goals.

The Wizards are attempting to improve upon a 17-65 finish last season with their new trio of Davis, Trae Young and AJ Dybantsa.