The Washington Wizards are not actively shopping Anthony Davis, even as the veteran center has emerged as a key name in speculation surrounding LeBron James’ free agency.
According to The Athletic’s Fred Katz, league sources said Washington has “expressed no interest” in trading Davis. However, Katz noted that if a team presented an overwhelming offer, the Wizards would have to consider it, particularly given the circumstances under which they acquired the former All-Star.
Davis has become an important part of the ongoing LeBron James sweepstakes after ESPN reported that the Golden State Warriors view reuniting James with his longtime frontcourt partner as a critical step toward signing the four-time NBA champion.
ESPN’s Shams Charania recently said Golden State’s offseason strategy centered on finding a path to pair Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, James and Davis on the same roster. According to Charania, the Warriors believe their chances of landing James improve significantly if they can first acquire Davis.
That scenario, however, faces a major obstacle in Washington’s current stance.
Katz reported that the Wizards have no desire to move Davis after acquiring him at the February 5 trade deadline. Washington landed Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Khris Middleton, Marvin Bagley III, AJ Johnson, Tyus Jones, a 2026 first-round pick (via Oklahoma City), a protected 2030 first-round pick (via Golden State) and three second-round selections.
Because Washington surrendered a relatively modest package for a player of Davis’ caliber, Katz noted the franchise would possess considerable leverage if Golden State made a serious push. Should James make it clear he wants Davis alongside him, the Wizards could demand a significant return before considering negotiations.
Reports have indicated Washington would seek Jimmy Butler plus multiple first-round picks in any Davis deal with Golden State, underscoring how highly the organization values the eight-time All-NBA big man.
Davis has yet to appear in a game for the Wizards following the midseason trade. Before the deal, he played 20 games for Dallas during the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.1 steals while shooting 50.6% from the field.
Over his 14 NBA seasons, Davis has built one of the league’s most accomplished résumés, averaging 24.0 points, 10.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks across 807 regular-season games. He is a 10-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection and five-time All-Defensive Team member.
Washington finished the 2025-26 season with the NBA’s worst record at 17-65 before selecting AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Retaining Davis would give the rebuilding franchise an established veteran centerpiece alongside one of the league’s top prospects.
Meanwhile, James’ free agency remains unresolved. The Warriors continue to pursue the 41-year-old, while the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves have also been linked to the four-time MVP. For now, Washington’s reluctance to move Davis could prove to be one of the biggest obstacles standing between Golden State and its ambitious offseason plan.
