The Washington Wizards have given strong signals that they plan to keep Anthony Davis, and he has reciprocated their intent. However, trade speculation continues to swirl around Davis. He could be the key to one team’s goal of landing LeBron James.
That sets the stage for a potentially lucrative opportunity for the Wizards.
Such an opportunity, in all likelihood, would mean the Wizards would be less competitive in the East this coming season than they are setting out to be.
Insider Details Cost of Potential Trade for Warriors’ Anthony Davis
GettyAnthony Davis’ future continues to look like it is in Washington with the Wizards.
ESPN’s Shams Charania spoke candidly about the Golden State Warriors’ pursuit of Davis. He noted that it would take a hefty haul to pry Davis loose from the Wizards.
The Warriors conversation, that was definitely alive right before free agency started. That’s why Draymond Green opted out. He opted out of $27.7 million. That surprised the Warriors. That surprised everyone around the league. But that was done to give the Warriors the flexibility to try to get LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Those conversations for AD have gone nowhere for the Warriors, from my understanding,” Charania said on the “Pat McAfee Show” on July 23.
“I don’t think that’s going to be a conversation, because it’s at a point now where if the Warriors were to get in that ballgame, they would have to give up multiple first-round picks, multiple draft picks, multiple swaps, all this other stuff.”
Charania noted some teams would argue Davis is worth it if that also lands James.
“If you’re the Warriors, that’s the give and take that you have there,” he said. “The domino effect, that was in play before free agency started. Now that we’re 20 days in, there’s nothing left.”
Wizards general manager Will Dawkins has set the organization up in an interesting position, with an intriguing mix of veterans like Davis and Trae Young and several recent first-round picks, including No. 1 selection in 2026 AJ Dybantsa and 2025 No. 2 pick Alex Sarr.
LeBron Not Waiting on AD
GettyAnthony Davis’ status with the Washington Wizards could have plenty to do with LeBron James.
The other part of the equation is still critical for Dawkins and the Warriors, and that is having a taker for Davis. The Warriors were one of two teams who made sense, along with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but neither has made that, or any other move, to lure the 22-time All-Star.
Charania also reported that James’ camp is not waiting to see if Davis is traded from the Wizards to make a decision.
Moreover, Charania indicated that James’ group has never stipulated that Davis be included.
“LeBron has everything he needs to make a decision. The conversations have happened,” Charania said. “They’re not waiting for another domino right now. They’re not waiting for Anthony Davis to get traded anywhere; they’re not waiting for anyone else to move around anywhere. The teams–Cleveland, Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia, Minnesota–they’re set. Those are the teams.
“Now listen, if during the first week of July, LeBron James and Rich Paul told the Heat or the Cavs or the Warriors, ‘Hey, we need you to do this, and we’re coming,’ those teams might have done that. But that message was not delivered. And so, you just kind of have to read between the lines, if you’re some of these teams, and you need to figure it out.”
That part could be an alert to the Warriors or any of James’ other potential landing spots about adding another piece like Davis via a trade with the Wizards if they want to seal the deal.
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