Will Anthony Davis Become the Trail Blazers First Offseason Move?

The 2026 NBA offseason opens with Tuesday’s draft, but Trail Blazers fans will have to wait with more anticipation for Portland’s first roster addition. The Blazers don’t have a pick in the first or second round, so draft night should be quiet in the Pacific Northwest. It’s also becoming official that the Blazers will not be involved in a Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster trade leading up to Milwaukee's self-imposed draft deadline to make a deal. 

Even after Miami landed Antentokuonmpo, the Trail Blazers still could potentially become a Jaylen Brown destination, but it remains to be seen if the Celtics would make Brown available now.

If the Trail Blazers don’t land Brown, the first offseason move could be a trade with Wizards for Anthony Davis. Washington just signed Trae Young to a max contract, showing the direction that the organization is likely headed.

Rising star Alex Sarr is due for a rookie extension next offseason, and moving Davis would give him more opportunities for development. The Wizards also have the first pick in the draft, which could impact how they manage their young talent, depending on the selection. The Wizards don't seem like the team that should keep two max contracts on payroll when they are building a young, talented roster through the draft.

Jake Fischer reported on his Bleacher Report show, "Portland, to our understanding, as they have been floating around and poking around in Giannis trade conversations, we've been told that they would look to pivot to Anthony Davis on the trade market. They obviously have Jaylen Brown interest as well…."

"We've been told that Portland will be waiting there, with open arms, potentially, to trade for Anthony Davis in that event (that the Wizards want to move AD)."

Davis would be a great short-term veteran pairing to maximize the Blazers' remaining window with Damian Lillard and provide a long-term veteran frontcourt presence to pair with Deni Avdija and potentially Scoot Henderson. His defensive prowess and glass-cleaning mentality could transform the Blazers roster and help them become a power in the Western Conference.