Anthony Davis to sit out remainder of season after trade to Wizards: eyes full reset in Washington

If you were hoping to see Anthony Davis suit up for the Washington Wizards this season, you’ll have to wait until next year. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes (now with Prime Video), the 32‑year‑old big man is expected to sit out the remainder of the season to fully recover and be ready for opening night next fall.

Davis hasn’t played since January 8 due to a finger injury that required surgery. And on Wednesday, he was traded from Dallas to Washington — a move that officially closed the Luka Dončić chapter in Dallas. At least operationally. Davis arrived from the Lakers just over a year ago, played only 29 regular‑season games (plus two Play‑In appearances) for the Mavericks, and now finds himself on his third team in 14 months.

Washington is shutting down its stars

The Wizards are also keeping Trae Young sidelined. Young hasn’t played since December, back when he was still with the Hawks, and Washington acquired him on January 7. The franchise is banking on a Young‑Davis pairing — two former All‑Stars — to lead a competitive push in the East next season.

For now, though, the priority is the draft. Washington sits at 14–36, among the NBA’s bottom five. Their 2026 first‑round pick is top‑8 protected; if it falls outside the top eight (it won’t), it goes to the Knicks. If Davis indeed doesn’t return, he’ll finish the season with just 20 games played — the lowest total of his NBA career.

Building for next season

The long‑term plan is clear: secure a high lottery pick and add another elite young talent to a core that will be anchored by veterans Young and Davis. Their pick‑and‑roll potential is obvious, and they’ll be surrounded by three high‑ceiling prospects:

Washington has already committed its future cap space to Young and Davis — and that raises real questions. Young is making $46.3 million this season and holds a $48.9 million player option for next year. Davis is at $54.1 million, with $58.4 million guaranteed next season and a $62.7 million player option for 2027–28.

If the Wizards extend both players, they could be locking themselves into massive long‑term deals that might age poorly. If they don’t, it’s fair to ask what the point of this aggressive pre‑deadline push really was — especially with the 2027 draft widely viewed as one of the weakest in years.

Davis speaks out after a chaotic stretch

For Davis, it’s been another whirlwind. After being the centerpiece of the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers — a deal already viewed as one of the worst in NBA history — he endured a turbulent stint in Dallas marked by injuries and constant scrutiny.

His move to Washington came amid reports that neither he nor his camp (led by Rich Paul of Klutch Sports) were informed of the trade ahead of time. And that he wasn’t exactly thrilled about joining a rebuilding project.

Perhaps to calm the noise, Davis spoke exclusively with veteran NBA reporter David Aldridge of The Athletic.

“In that other city I was in, people were saying I said things that weren’t true,” Davis said. He added that his first direct interaction with the Wizards was surprisingly positive: “My first visit went really well. They welcomed me with open arms. Things here are totally different from what people say on the outside. There’s this stigma that the Wizards aren’t a good team. I haven’t seen the practice facility yet, but the arena is world‑class. I saw how the chefs work, how they take care of players’ families… it all seemed great.”

As for his future, Davis didn’t commit — but he didn’t close the door either. “It’s hard to know what I’ll do or what will happen until we understand the plan in detail. Obviously things aren’t going well right now, you can see that in the standings. But with the right moves, things can change fast. In the NBA, everything is year to year.”

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.