The Washington Wizards just made a move that says plenty about how they want to handle Anthony Davis: keep him happy, keep him healthier, and keep him at power forward.
By sending two second-round picks to land Deandre Ayton, Washington gave itself a true center option next to Davis. That matters because Davis has wanted to play the four for years, and he has made no secret of why.
He wants to preserve his body and cut down on the pounding that comes with living in the paint. With Alex Sarr and Ayton now available to cover the 48 minutes at center, the Wizards can finally put Davis in the spot he prefers.
There was some surprise around the league when Washington paid that price for Ayton, especially since many believed his main appeal was as an expiring contract. The Wizards saw more than that. The Lakers, meanwhile, were happy to collect the two second-rounders, while Washington got the frontcourt piece it needed to make this setup work.
The bigger picture is obvious: the Wizards want to keep Davis around. Fans have already heard the trade chatter, and the front office is leaving the door open to make a move, but the organization also clearly wants to hold onto the ten-time All-Star.
That fits with the way Washington has operated. It traded for Trae Young and handed him a massive extension, a sign that the team wants to compete rather than lean into a tank.
The NBA’s lottery reform gives them no reason to go that route anyway.
Health has been the constant issue with Davis in recent years, and the Wizards are betting that reducing the wear and tear will help. He has appeared in just 279 games over the last six years, which works out to 46.5 per season.
During that span, he played 81 percent of his minutes at center. Washington is trying something different because the old setup has not been enough.
There are tradeoffs, of course. Davis’ biggest edge comes from his defense, and that can lose some of its punch when he is spending more time on the perimeter.
He is also a career 29.5 percent 3-point shooter, which limits the spacing he provides. That is part of why the five has usually been his best position.
Still, the Wizards know they have to keep him content if they want a real shot at retaining him. Davis did not ask to come to Washington.
The team bought low after the Mavericks looked to move on from the disastrous Luka Doncic trade, and Davis has a player option for the 2027-28 season. If he picks that up, he would be unrestricted in 2028 unless a new deal gets done first.
Letting him play the four when the roster is healthy is a clear first step.
Davis’ production last season showed he can still be a force when he is on the floor. He played only 20 games, but he still averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks in 31.2 minutes per game.
He was traded by the Mavericks before the deadline, but never actually suited up for Washington, which wisely kept him out. Now the Wizards have followed through on the wish he has been making for years.
The plan is simple enough: use Ayton to handle center, slide Davis to power forward, and hope the arrangement keeps him healthy enough to matter. Washington is trying to maximize a star who is still a star when he plays.
The goal now is 65 games and a real push to turn things around. Only time will tell if it works, but the Wizards have at least taken the first step in trying to keep him happy.
In Other News...
Trae Youngs Wizards Role Shift Could Change Everything
A quieter version of Trae Youngs game may be coming into focus in Washington, and it would be one of the more interesting wrinkles of the Wizards upcoming season. General manager Will Dawkins has pointed to a reduced usage rate and a more diversified offensive role for Young, who is still expected to handle the ball often but not carry quite the same burden on every possession.
The early sample in Washington already hints at why the idea has traction, with Young posting a 26.3 percent usage rate while his assist percentage climbed to 47.5 percent. For a Wizards team trying to build something more balanced around its best playmaker, the question is no longer whether Young can run the offense, but how much the rest of the roster can take on alongside him. [Read more 🡒]
Two Wizards Prospects Already Look Beyond Summer League Level
The first look at Washingtons young talent in Las Vegas gave the front office and fans plenty to like, with AJ Dybantsa and Tre Johnson both stepping into their NBA Summer League debuts and looking comfortable right away. Dybantsa played with the kind of aggression that tends to jump off the floor in this setting, while Johnson showed he can do more than just spot up and fire from deep.
For a team trying to build around promising pieces, those kinds of openings matter because they hint at a higher ceiling than the usual summer showcase. Dybantsas all-around production and Johnsons expanded scoring touch both suggested they may be operating a level above the average Summer League newcomer, which is exactly the sort of early impression Washington hoped to see before the competition gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]