As the flurry of the first 24 hours of NBA free agency whizzed on, Anthony Davis, who is NOT a free agent, was a big part of the rumor mill based on potential rumblings that Golden State was interested in acquiring him to pair with Steph Curry and the addition of LeBron James.
Davis has one year left on his current deal, and is not eligible for an extension until August, so the next month=plus could be a lot of speculation as to his future, especially as (or if) James’ becomes clear,
But, count David Aldridge among those who believe that AD isn’t going anywhere…but LeBron also isn’t coming to DC, either.
“There was never…some narrative just gets created, and you spend three days about it, but the Wizards have never talked to the Warriors about Anthony Davis, and it’s never been a possibility,” Aldridge told BMitch & Finlay. “It was somebody trying to create momentum for a trade, and then it goes into the wood chipper and everyone has to talk about it. But it was never a thing – nothing has changed in their hopes that Davis will play for them this season, and after next season, anything could happen.”
That doesn’t include James playing here this season if any part of that narrative is true.
“I would say no, just because I don’t think even the most optimistic Wizards fan would say they’re a contender as currently constituted,” Aldridge said. “LeBron wants to go somewhere where he at least has the chance to compete for a chip, and the Wizards are hoping to make the playoffs next year, which is not the same as being a contender. They’re not anywhere close; they’d be slightly closer if LeBron signs, but not that much closer, so I think that kind of precludes the Wizards.”
And as far as ‘anything can happen’ with Davis after his final guaranteed season for now, well…we have a month before anything official can be done, but if an extension is coming, it doesn’t have to be sooner than later.
“I like Rich Paul, he’s a very good agent, and he has to try to get his clients paid, but he does not have any leverage in this situation. The only team that can give Anthony Davis an extension at the number he wants is the Wizards,” Aldridge said. “He can opt out of his player option for 2027-28 and become a free agent, but then you have to sign fore the room that other teams have available and not get an extension off your existing contract, which is the whole point. You could opt-out and try to find a team in 2027-28 that’s going to give you $60 million in cap room…but good luck with that!”
