Anthony Davis isn’t hiding the mood heading into his first season with the Wizards.
On the “Numbers on the Board” podcast, the 33-year-old big man made it clear he’s treating this year like a personal reset, saying the noise around him has only added fuel. His message was simple: he believes people have moved on too quickly, and he intends to answer that on the floor.
“A lot,” said Davis. “Multiple reasons, but the main reason is: I feel like people forgot, and I take that personally.
I know what I can do, what I bring to the table. I think this is a great opportunity for me, having Trae Young, an All-Star point guard.
Someone like him would elevate my game with what he’s able to do. Defensively, all the guys that we got here, we can do something special.
But for me, personally, I’m on some sh*t this year.”
That kind of edge is easy to understand when you look at where Davis has been. He built his reputation in New Orleans, where he became the face of the Pelicans and helped guide them to multiple playoff appearances. Over seven seasons there, he posted 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 51.7% from the field.
His highest level, though, came in Los Angeles. Playing next to LeBron James, Davis averaged 24.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.2 blocks per game as a Laker, and he was a key piece of the Lakers’ 2020 title run.
Since then, the road has gotten rough. Davis was traded from the Lakers in 2025 as part of the Luka Doncic deal, and after that move he played only 29 games before being dealt out of Dallas. Health has been the big issue, and now he’s trying to turn the page with Washington.
The stakes are obvious. Davis and the Wizards agreed to put extension talks on hold, so a shaky start could complicate his future with the team. At the same time, the wrong kind of season would leave his Wizards run feeling unfinished before it really gets going.
Still, there are reasons for optimism in Washington. Davis will have Trae Young next to him, and Young may be the best point guard he has ever played with. Last season, Young averaged 17.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.2 blocks per game while shooting 59.5% from the field in 15 games.
The Wizards also added AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall pick, who is being viewed as the next major NBA superstar.
So this isn’t just a stop along the way for Davis. He wants Washington to be the place where he reminds everybody who he is. If he stays healthy, the pieces are there for him to do exactly that.
In Other News...
Wizards Are Taking A Risk With Anthony Davis They May Regret
Anthony Davis has long wanted to operate as a power forward, but the fit has always been more complicated than that. He has often been at his best as a center, especially alongside another big man, and the Wizards have essentially built around the idea of giving him the four spot, even going so far as to bring in Deandre Ayton to help make it work.
Washingtons bet comes with real questions attached, though, because the spacing around Davis is still a concern and the roster does not offer much obvious shooting relief. Add in the fact that he is in the final guaranteed year of his contract and has not yet played for the Wizards, and the pressure only grows if a new deal is not reached and trade talks start to loom. [Read more 🡒]