Two current, and one former, Washington Wizard were named among the worst contracts during the 2025-26 NBA season.
The Washington Wizards are nearing the end of likely the third consecutive regular season with the franchise failing to win 20 games, a rare and humbling feat for an organization in the midst of a rebuild.
While all the focus has been centered on what next season could look like as Will Riley's highlights carry the team into the end of the regular season, Forbes analyzed some of the best and worst contracts from 2025-26 with two current Wizards and one former all mentioned.
Anthony Davis ranked as the second worst in the league with just a $7.9 million production value compared to his max $54.1 million salary this season, a $46.2 million projected difference. Trae Young isn't far behind with a $5.1 million production value compared to his $46.4 million salary, a $41.3 million difference.
Only Jayson Tatum of Boston has a larger value vs. production difference after the Celtics star was able to eventually return from what was initially expected to be a season-ending injury, though Forbes projected a $4.1 million production value compared to his $54.1 million salary.
It's hard to argue against the valuation differences, especially for Davis. After playing in nine games to end the 2024-25 season after the shocking trade that sent him from the Lakers to Mavericks, Davis appeared in only 20 games to open the 2025-26 season before suffering an injury to his left hand. Davis initially bypassed surgery with the expectation that the injury would sideline him approximately six weeks, but the Mavericks pulled the trigger on a trade with Washington before a return to the court materialized.
General manager Will Dawkins previously noted that it was "highly likely" that both Davis and Young make their return to the court this season, but for Davis, that has yet to materialize. The team did announce that Davis was cleared for "light contact" last week, but did not announce a timeline with only five regular season games left heading into the week.
Trae Young, meanwhile, was able to make a brief debut where he posted double figures scoring performances, along with at least five assists, in all five games while playing no more than 24 minutes. But Young would also exit the March 16 loss against the Golden State Warriors before later being diagnosed with low back pain, while the NBA injury report has listed the right quad contusion injury that sidelined him for the end of his tenure with the Atlanta Hawks.
Still, both Young and Davis are key pieces in what's expected to be a 20266-27 season with elevated expectations given a likely top draft pick will add to a roster littered with young talent - and several still on rookie deals.
Interestingly enough, a former Wizard was also included with Khris Middleton ranked the second worst non-injury contract this season with a $30.8 million difference in value - Forbes projects a $2.5 million production value compared to his $33.3 million deal.
Following the consecutive road games over the weekend, the Wizards will prepare for the final week of the season beginning Tuesday with the Chicago Bulls headed to Capital One Arena for a 7 PM tipoff.