Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving Trades Eyed by NBA Insiders in New Poll Ahead of 2026-27 Season

Having already popped up in trade rumors this offseason, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving remain popular candidates to get moved at some point during the 2026-27 NBA season.

In a survey of ESPN insiders who were asked about the next player to request a trade, Davis topped the poll with 10 points and Irving was second with four points.

Davis being so far out in front of everyone else comes in the wake of a report that the 10-time All-Star and Washington Wizards were putting off "any meaningful talks" about a contract extension until after the regular season begins.

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One of the primary reasons the Wizards might want to hold off on signing Davis is financially-motivated. ESPN's Tim MacMahon wrote as part of the survey that Davis and his agent, Rich Paul, "haven't been coy about their desire for a maximum (or close to it) contract extension."

Irving's future with the Dallas Mavericks has been a topic of conversation dating back to last season. He was seen as a potential candidate to be moved prior to the trade deadline in February, but the Mavs were intrigued at the time about the possibility of seeing him in a lineup with Cooper Flagg.

Dallas' outlook has changed significantly since then with the hiring of Masai Ujiri as team president and giving him full authority to do what he wants to reshape the roster moving forward.

There are practical reasons for the Mavs and Wizards to be patient in exploring trade opportunities for the star players. Irving hasn't played since tearing his ACL in March 2025, sitting out the entire 2025-26 season while rehabbing the injury.

Washington hasn't seen Davis in a game since acquiring him from the Mavs in February. He appeared in a total of 29 games with Dallas after being part of the Luka Dončić trade in February 2025.

One potentially significant complicating factor for teams interested in Davis or Irving is their respective contracts. Both players are entering the final guaranteed season on their current deals, but they have player options for 2027-28.

Davis' option is worth $62.8 million . Irving's is slightly more team-friendly at $42.4 million .

The max deal for Davis is four years and $273 million . A healthy Davis and Trae Young around 2026 No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa, Bub Carrington, Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly makes the Wizards an intriguing team to watch, but the availability of those top two players will determine their ceiling next season.

Dallas largely knows what it has with Flagg, even if he has just started to scratch the surface of his potential. The development of Morez Johnson Jr., the ninth pick in the 2026 draft, and health of Dereck Lively II are keys for the Mavs to reach their full potential next season.

Irving, who will turn 35 during the season, doesn't seem like a long-term solution for the Mavericks given where they are in their roster build around Flagg.