Could Davis leave Washington? “Possibly, but not for the Lakers”
Brian Windhorst sees Anthony Davis as one of the big names to watch at the upcoming trade deadline, but a return to the Lakers looks unlikely
Will Anthony Davis and the Washington Wizards be a lasting pairing, or will Washington turn out to be another brief stop for the 2020 NBA champion after his stint with the Dallas Mavericks? It’s a question that continues to divide opinion around the NBA.
Ever since Davis arrived in the nation’s capital, some have pointed out that chasing another ring right away could be a priority for a player likely entering the final years of his career, given the injuries he’s accumulated along the way.
Prominent NBA analyst Brian Windhorst thinks that’s a fair point, though it doesn’t necessarily tell us what’s next for Davis.
Anthony Davis is one of the biggest question marks this season. Three star players stand out as having a real chance of being traded. One is Davis, one is Kyrie Irving, and then there’s Domantas Sabonis. They’re all in the same boat. They all have options in their contracts for next season
Brian Windhorst
If the Wizards see the Kentucky product as a cornerstone of their plans, could the two sides reach a deal? Windhorst isn’t ruling that out, either.
The Wizards want to see him play 20 or 30 games and find out how he fits with the group. Then they’ll consider offering him a contract extension. If they make him an offer, there’s a chance he takes it. Otherwise, get ready to see him on the trade market
Brian Windhorst
A return to the Los Angeles Lakers, though, looks like a long shot given the front office’s recent moves.
The Lakers simply don’t have valuable assets to offer. Forget Anthony Davis for a second and think about any other star. They don’t have much left to trade. They’ve already dealt most of their picks. The only thing that can change the picture is if a player specifically asks to be traded to the Lakers. And that’s already happened recently
Brian Windhorst
It’s a practical assessment that many others around the league likely share. The next few weeks could prove it right or wrong. All that’s left is to find out.