Davis had been on the commerce block in Dallas for a lot of the season, however there was some doubt about whether or not a deal would materialize after he suffered ligament injury to his left hand, an damage which was anticipated to sideline him for least most of February, if not past that. Rumored suitors like Atlanta and Toronto appeared to again off to some extent, opening the door for a shock crew just like the Wizards to make a deal.
Davis, who has a prolonged damage historical past, has been tormented by a number of illnesses (adductor, eye, calf, groin, hand) since was traded to Dallas final February. In 20 video games this season, he averaged 20.4 factors, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.7 blocks in 31.3 minutes per contest.
The previous No. 1 general decide is on a maximum-salary contract that runs by means of 2027-28, with a $62.8M participant choice for that remaining season.
The Wizards are incentivized to lose as many video games as attainable down the stretch to retain their 2026 first-round decide, which is top-eight protected, and enhance their odds of touchdown one of many draft’s prized prospects. Trae Younger (knee, quad) has but to play for the Wizards after they traded for the star level guard final month.
GM Will Dawkins mentioned in an interview on the finish of January that Younger was out by means of the All-Star break, however pressured the crew wasn’t shutting him down for the season. That doesn’t seem to use to Davis, nonetheless.
In an unique telephone interview with David Aldridge of The Athletic, Davis mentioned he had a “nice” go to with the Wizards’ possession and entrance workplace on Friday, however the 32-year-old ahead/heart readily admitted he had questions on how the rebuilding crew deliberate to change into a contender.
“At this level in my profession, I wish to compete for a championship,” Davis mentioned. “Whether or not that’s right here or elsewhere, I don’t know. It’s been phenomenal, every little thing they’re saying. Every thing they’re displaying me is nothing in need of phenomenal. Now it’s about having an precise dialog in regards to the crew.”
Whereas Davis advised Aldridge he beloved Washington D.C. and was open-minded in regards to the crew’s imaginative and prescient for the longer term, he made it clear his precedence is to win as many video games as attainable going ahead.
“It’s laborious to say (I’d undoubtedly keep in D.C.) with out the right plan,” Davis mentioned. “Clearly, it’s powerful proper now with the crew, proper now. It exhibits with their report, however including sure items, that may change. It’s 12 months by 12 months. They may very well be the No. 1 crew within the East subsequent 12 months.”
