Anthony Davis trade rumors are heating up. The Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly “waiting with open arms” if the Washington Wizards make him available, per NBA writer Jake Fischer. After playing zero games for Washington since being traded there last February, Davis is in a holding pattern. The Wizards say he is committed. The rest of the league is not so sure.
This is a fascinating spot. Davis is owed $58.5 million next season. He has a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. He becomes eligible for a contract extension in August and reportedly wants the maximum on any new deal. The Wizards are a rebuilding team with the No. 1 pick in the draft. Davis turning 33 next season. The math does not work for a long term partnership.
The Blazers are exactly the kind of team that should be calling. Portland made the playoffs last season under Tiago Splitter. They have young talent in Donovan Clingan, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and Toumani Camara. They have draft picks. They have a roster that desperately needs a star to lead them. Davis fits.
The fit on the court is interesting. Davis next to Clingan in the frontcourt would be a defensive nightmare for opponents. Both elite shot blockers. Both versatile defensively. Both can play 5. Davis could slide to 4 and let Clingan anchor the middle. Or you could go small and let Davis be the 5 with shooting around him. The Blazers have the pieces to make either configuration work.
The financial fit is more complicated. Portland just spent half the offseason avoiding spending money. The Tom Dundon ownership group has been roasted for being cheap. Trading for Davis means absorbing $58.5 million for next year and a max extension on top of it. That is a real commitment.
But it also might be exactly what Dundon needs to do. He has been criticized for being penny wise and pound foolish. Adding Davis would be a statement that he is willing to spend on real talent. It would energize the fan base. It would signal to the league that the Blazers are not just a cheap operation.
The cost in players and picks is the bigger question. Washington would want a real haul. Probably multiple first round picks, a young player, and salary matching. Portland could put together a package built around Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson, and picks. The Wizards might want that. They might want more.
The other complication is Davis’ situation. He is not happy in Washington. He missed all last season with a hand injury. He has been publicly tepid about his commitment to the franchise. He is essentially angling to get out without saying it out loud. The Wizards have to read between the lines and decide if they want to deal him before the situation gets worse.
Wizards president Michael Winger has publicly said Davis remains committed to the franchise’s long term vision. That is the company line. Behind closed doors, the conversation is probably different. If a real offer comes in this summer, Washington should at least listen.
The other team to watch is Dallas. The Mavericks just hired Dusty May. They have Cooper Flagg. Davis was originally a Mav. There are reasons for both sides to reunite. But the Mavericks already traded him away once and the front office that did it is still in place. That makes a reunion awkward.
The Blazers are the cleanest fit. They have the assets. They have the need. They have the cap room. If Dundon is serious about contending, this is the trade he should make. Whether he will pay the cost, financial and otherwise, is the open question.
One thing is for sure. The Davis story is not over. He is going to be in trade rumors for the rest of the summer. Maybe longer.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
