As Anthony Davis hits a contract crossroads in Washington, desperate Western Conference contenders may pivot toward the former champion to counter Victor Wembanyama’s looming generational dominance.
Victor Wembanyama's emergence last season didn't just result in the San Antonio Spurs' first NBA Finals appearance in 12 years. It had a league-wide impact on roster construction.
Franchises heavily invested in size this summer, because to accomplish basketball's ultimate goal, the Spurs' competition seems to believe they'll have to get past Wembanyama to do so.
But are players such as Mo Wagner and Jock Landale — two examples of the additional size teams prioritized this summer — really going to slow the French phenom?
Probably not.
There is one player, though, who may eventually become available who possesses the size, strength and defensive experience to offer a credible physical challenge: Anthony Davis.
Davis' value has tanked from where it was ahead of his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers when the 33-year-old big man essentially guaranteed you 25 points and 12 rebounds on a nightly basis.
Getting traded for Luka Doncic certainly didn't help his perception, and once the injuries began piling up again, the elite abilities Davis still possesses started to be overlooked.
Now a Washington Wizard, Davis and his new organization have a decision to make on his future ... and amid a summer that brought multiple trade rumors ... that decision is reportedly being put on hold.
Per Josh Robbins of The Athletic, the Wizards will wait until the 2026-27 season to hold meaningful extension talks with Davis, despite his becoming extension-eligible Aug. 6. If Davis proactively declines his $62.8 million player option for 2027-28, he would be eligible to sign a four-year maximum extension with Washington worth approximately $275 million.
Washington has maintained all offseason that Davis is, will and wants to be a Wizard, though the decision not to lock him up long-term could reignite that same trade buzz that's circulated for months.
Despite what Wizards GM Will Dawkins has publicly affirmed multiple times, it seems hard to believe that if one of San Antonio's direct Western Conference threats wanted to acquire Davis, Washington wouldn't listen.
Dawkins has quickly risen through the executive ranks in the NBA, and his shrewd decision-making reflects his ascent. If a Spurs rival puts together a monster package for Davis in an attempt to counter Wembanyama, the Wizards will likely at least hear out fair offers.
Davis is being asked to prove his worth before Washington commits boatloads of cash to an often-injured center approaching his mid-30s — which is totally understandable.
But the longer Davis remains without a long-term commitment beyond his current contract, the more time San Antonio’s rivals will have to consider whether one of the league’s most accomplished defensive big men could make Wembanyama’s life even slightly more difficult.
