The Anthony Davis trade to the Washington Wizards was surprising, although it could also be a sign of things to come. Davis is not the first NBA star who was dealt to the Wizards. In fact, there have been a number of big-name players who ended up there—but not for long.
Among the notable names are Davis’ former teammate Russell Westbrook (2020–21) and Paul Pierce (2014–15). Both stayed in Washington for only a year. Given the caliber of A.D., it is likely he will follow the same path.
This means that all is not lost for Anthony Davis. As such, he needs to focus on getting healthy and adjusting his game so that he doesn’t end up missing a lot of games. He will be turning 33 in March and clearly still has a lot of NBA playing years ahead of him if he finds a way to stay healthy.
However, the top pick of the 2012 NBA Draft also needs to expect the unexpected. Although talented, his recurring injuries will be a concern for interested teams. As a result, he may want to lower expectations and be open to the idea of being a player who comes off the bench if he ends up moving to a new team.
Adjusting expectations as durability becomes the priority
Westbrook is a perfect example. After spending a season with the Wizards, the 2017 Most Valuable Player was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021.
But since he was joining a team that was loaded with stars led by Davis and LeBron James, Westbrook needed to adjust. He played behind A.D. and LeBron and settled for a sixth-man role. Russ struggled but had his share of good games with the Purple and Gold.
It can be argued that the case of Davis is different. At 6-foot-10, there is no question that any team would want him.
But with his history of injuries being a concern, he will likely be used sparingly initially until the Kentucky product can show he can keep himself in good physical shape. In his years in the NBA, Davis has yet to play a full season.
Wizards stint offers precedent for eventual title runs
Frustrating as it has been for Davis, a ray of hope beckons as far as possibly winning another championship. There are a number of players who were shipped to Washington but later joined teams that won an NBA championship.
Thomas Bryant, Gary Payton II, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are good examples. Bryant and Caldwell-Pope ended up winning championships in 2023 after both were traded by the Wizards to the Denver Nuggets.
Payton II, who played for the Wizards from 2018 to 2020, won a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022. “Young Glove” established himself as a defensive stopper at the time, making him a good fit for the Dubs during that championship run.
This is not to conclude that Davis’ stint with the Wizards will be short-lived. He could use the time to recompose himself both mentally and physically.
He is in good company, with Trae Young also on the roster after Washington acquired the four-time All-Star in January. Young welcomed Davis with a nostalgic post on X following the trade.
“Inevitable!” wrote Young. “Welcome to DC!”
For now, Davis remains focused on his recovery as the Wizards continue to assess his availability. How he ultimately fits into Washington’s plans will hinge on his health and ability to stay on the floor.
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