The Los Angeles Lakers are over a year removed from the infamous Luka Dončić-Anthony Davis trade. If it wasn't clear who won that trade (and it was), it is now: the Mavericks traded AD to the Wizards before last week's deadline. Now, the NBA world is waiting to see if Davis will suit up for Washington this season, following conflicting reports in the days after the trade.
As much as AD meant to the Lakers fan base, and still does, it's nice not to have to be caught in the middle of his injury chaos.
Chris Haynes reported that Davis is "expected" to miss the remainder of the season so he can get "fully healthy" for next year. The Athletic reported that AD "is not likely" to play again this season as he recovers not only from the hand injury he suffered in January, but also a groin strain.
However, on Sunday, Wizards GM Will Dawkins, who spoke publicly for the first time since the trade, said he expects Davis to play this season (subscription required), but that it will be determined after the All-Star break.
Try to keep up.
There is a chance Anthony Davis will play for the Wizards this season
Washington allowed AD to return to Dallas to finish his rehab, with Dawkins saying that the 32-year-old has a "really good team down there." The Wizards sent members of their medical staff with him. The GM said Davis will meet with a doctor over the break and that after that, the team will have a better idea of whether he will play again this season.
There is no incentive for Washington to play Davis this season, other than to lure fans to Capital One Arena (bonus points if Trae Young plays too!). The Wizards are 14-38, second-to-last in the East, 10.5 games back from the final play-in tournament spot, so, in other words, they're not going anywhere except the draft lottery. And of course, the higher the pick, the better, especially in this draft class.
While it would be fun for Wizards fans to see AD in action, Lakers fans especially know how that could take a turn for the worse. Mavericks fans know, too, as Davis got hurt in his Dallas debut last season. He played only nine games last year.
It's impossible to be too cautious when it comes to Davis. The Wizards didn't give up nearly as much as the Mavericks did (they didn't have that kind of talent on the roster), but that doesn't mean they traded for him to spend most of the time on the sideline. It'd be in their favor if that's where he stayed for the rest of this season, though, or else he could spend the offseason rehabbing.
For now, there's a chance Davis could suit up for Washington on March 30 when the Wizards visit the Lakers, but by no means should fans buy tickets now, expecting that to happen. Wait until 10 minutes before tip-off.