The Washington Wizards made two of the splashiest moves of the NBA season by landing All-Stars Anthony Davis and Trae Young before the trade deadline. But here’s the twist - neither star may suit up much, if at all, for Washington this season.
Both Davis and Young are currently sidelined with injuries, and with the Wizards near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, there’s little urgency to rush either player back. In fact, there’s a strategic reason not to. Washington needs to finish within the top eight in the 2026 NBA Draft order to keep its first-round pick - a condition that makes winning games a little less valuable than usual right now.
The Injury Report
Trae Young is dealing with a sprained right knee and a bruised quadriceps - injuries that have kept him off the court since arriving from Atlanta. Davis, meanwhile, is nursing ligament damage in his left hand after being acquired from Dallas. Neither injury is considered season-ending, but both are significant enough to warrant caution, especially given the Wizards’ current place in the standings.
Trae Young’s Future in D.C.
Young is in the middle of a $45.9 million season and holds a player option for 2026-27 worth $48.9 million. That gives him the flexibility to hit free agency this summer if he chooses. But there’s mutual interest in making this more than a short-term stop.
League sources say the Wizards and Young are open to hammering out an extension this offseason, with a potential three-year deal in the $120 million range being discussed. The relationship between Young’s camp and the Wizards front office has been collaborative from the start, with both sides working to ensure Washington was a preferred landing spot. That groundwork could pave the way for a longer-term partnership.
Despite the Hawks’ struggles with Young in the lineup - they went just 2-8 in his 10 appearances - the 27-year-old is still producing at a high level, averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists per game. He remains one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers, and Washington sees him as a foundational piece moving forward.
Anthony Davis: A Hall-of-Fame Talent, But What’s Next?
Davis, 33, is still putting up All-Star numbers when healthy - 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game - but injuries continue to be a storyline. He’s played in just 20 games this season, and durability concerns are part of the conversation when it comes to his future.
He’s earning $54.1 million this season and is eligible for a four-year, $275 million extension in August. Sources say Rich Paul, Davis’ agent, had prioritized an extension with the Mavericks during the offseason, but uncertainty around Dallas’ willingness to commit long-term - given Davis’ age and injury history - led to the trade.
Now in Washington, Paul is expected to re-engage on extension talks this summer. The Wizards, for their part, will need to weigh Davis’ elite production against the reality of his availability. But make no mistake - when Davis is on the floor, he’s still one of the most impactful two-way players in the league.
Where the Wizards Stand
Washington sits 14th in the East and has just 13 wins to date. This season isn’t about a playoff push - it’s about positioning. Keeping their first-round pick is a priority, and with Davis and Young both recovering, there’s no pressure to accelerate the timeline.
But the moves to acquire two All-Stars signal something bigger: the Wizards are laying the foundation for a new era. Whether it’s Young as the face of the franchise or Davis anchoring the frontcourt, or both, Washington is positioning itself to be a player in the Eastern Conference again - just not quite yet.
For now, patience is the play. But come summer, expect the Wizards to be busy - and potentially bold - in shaping their future.