Outside Chatter is Down on Anthony Davis, But The Wizards Aren't

It's no secret why Anthony Davis' value isn't perceived the way it once was just a few season ago.

The 10-time All-Star has played in just 71 games across the last two seasons. When the Washington Wizards acquired him at last year's trade deadline, it was an opportunity they couldn't pass up on. Now, the Wizards think he's going to reshape his image.

"[Davis] is in a great frame of mind. He's focused and ready to start the season," Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said at his first press conference of the season. "I would say he's very much a motivated player right now, and I expect [Davis] to remind the basketball world who he really is.”

Motivated feels like a key phrase here. 

Davis, 33, became eligible for a four-year, max contract extension on August 6th. That same day, The Athletic reported that the Wizards and Davis would delay any talks about a new contract until the regular season. This allows both sides to evaluate the best course of action for the future.

When healthy, Davis has still produced at a very high rate, averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds in games he played last year. The Wizards are counting on that from Davis, as they look to use their size to improve defensively.

"We added legitimate size in the middle," Dawkins said. "The paint's going to be a tough place for people to score on us. Alex Sarr was second in the blocks last year, and that's without having [Davis] next to him."

The Washington finish 30th and defensive rating last season, and in order for them to compete in 2026 they absolutely must improve. Dawkins cited stretches where they were a top 15 defense last season, but added those have to become a consistency.

Davis' defensive pedigree is a big add. In his career, he's been named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team five times. Those kinds of honors might be a big ask for Davis this season, but him playing anywhere near his standard would be a massive addition for Washington.

"Defensively, I expect us to be better," Dawkins said. We're going to be a defensive-minded team. We're going to be disruptive. We'll be better at the rim, and we'll be better on the glass. That's the goal for us to let people know [on a night-to-night basis. Like we're here to play defense, and we think we have the personnel in the locker room to do so."

Dawkins discussed his defense often, but he has a lot of belief in his ability to produce on offense as well.

"There will be nights when you have to double Anthony Davis, and that will force defenses to rotate, " Dawkins said. "We look forward to that because that creates opportunities for other people."

That's another component of this entire thing. Skeptics of the Wizards' build this season worried that Davis and Trae Young impede, the growth of their young players. Dawkins reiterated the team's youth is the priority and these high-level veterans were brought in to make their life easier, while also helping them compete at a higher level.

 "We were pretty intentional in adding balance, like the right balance of proven talent, to our young core, our young developing core," Dawkins said. And we're doing so  to blend  the consistent individual growth that we've seen from these young players, but turning that more into team impact on the floor, and that's a message that we've given our players as a team."

Washington's rotations and features of its younger players will be probably one of the top stories to follow because it appears the plan is still focused on developing a lot of these different players. No matter what happens with Davis long-term, the Wizards appear confident his impact can send shockwaves around the organization.

Most importantly, whatever impact he can have on Sarr should be a massive win. The 21-year-old big will be a light participant in training camp as he still recovers from his fractured foot over the summer, but he's expected to be ready for the opener on October 21st.

He made massive strides in the second season, and it can be argued he did it without any help down low. Davis should take plenty of weight off his shoulders.

Bottom Line, the Wizards have depth this year, and Davis makes it that much stronger when he's available.

"We want to see improvements on both ends of the ball, but specifically defensively and I think our size will help us with that," Dawkins said.