With the extension window set to open next month and the LeBron James free agency chase over, what's a sensible number for an extension between the Washington Wizards and Anthony Davis?
The dust has finally settled in the LeBron James free agency search after news broke of his expected signing with the Philadelphia Sixers, adding another impact piece to a loaded roster with the Eastern Conference now vastly more competitive this upcoming season than the past one. While LeBron to Philadelphia adds another layer in the plans for the Washington Wizards to become more competitive in year three under head coach Brian Keefe, it also could give the Wizards additional leverage in the upcoming extension talks with Anthony Davis.
After another week of chatter around his status ahead of his contract extension window which officially opens on August 6, the Wizards could ultimately have to answer his future even before Davis makes his Wizards debut given the months of noise about his future.
It might not have been the preferred route. After missing the final 32 games of the regular season despite general manager Will Dawkins offering glimpses of optimism on the recovery process since the trade, Davis also arrived with durability questions. The ten-time All Star has missed over 42% of regular season games since the start of the 2024-25 season and nearly 75% of games since being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers midway through the 2024-25 season. The 33 year old also arrived in Washington in the backend of his career.
Yet the value has been clear. Davis has been adamant in the past that he works best at the four, which Washington offers given Alex Sarr can complement the veteran at the five, while the impact forward upgrades the Wizards' defensive pedigree that has been lacking in recent years. Despite a potential dynamic pairing alongside Kyrie Irving in Dallas, Davis now has a dynamic point guard who fits him in the pick-and-role in Trae Young, who bypassed free agency to sign a four year deal worth roughly $212 million.
Yet Young's contract was met with some skepticism after his roughly $53 million annual average value proved to be a steep change from the three year deal worth $40 million annually that was projected in the offseason. While general manager Will Dawkins pointed to Young also being in the prime when explaining the new deal, the contract also illustrates the impact of Young on the rest of the roster.
Davis offers similar value, yet with Young set to turn 28 just prior to the start of the regular season, the comparison to a 33 year old Anthony Davis may not carry the same value. With Davis preparing to play on a $58 million deal ahead of the $62.8 million player option in 2026-27 to end his three year, $175.4 million deal, could a three year deal worth roughly $150 million be a compromise in Washington?
Given the current roster, Washington will enter next offseason with a decision to make on Bilal Coulibaly's future given the former lottery pick is also currently on his first contract window with the organization and is on track to enter free agency in 2027. Washington is currently projected to be roughly $38.7 million above the first apron and $52 million above the second apron, giving the front office plenty of financial flexibility over the next two seasons to make a three year, $150 million deal realistic. Whether that includes a player option for the final season would be a question for the then-36 year old forward would be a question mark, yet while he'll look to quiet the critics about his availability, Davis' impact on and off the floor over the next two seasons can be felt in Washington to make a deal worth it.
The question is, what ultimately materializes? Time will tell for Davis, who also happened to be featured on the Wizards' promo for half season ticket plans released on Friday morning.
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