The Los Angeles Lakers knew Anthony Davis was no longer a max contract player because of his injury history, and the Washington Wizards have already reached that conclusion. Shams Charania called it a mutual decision to hold off on an extension, but Brian Windhorst made it clear that no player wants to wait. If AD was still a max player, the deal would be done. He still puts up monster numbers, but teams just don’t know about his health.
Davis played a career-high 76 games in 2024, and the Wizards are taking the gamble that he can reach those heights again. He has averaged just 49.6 games per season over the last eight and has appeared in 65 or more games just once during that stretch. The 33-year-old has a long injury history, and it has the Wizards shying away from a massive four-year, $275 million extension. AD wants it, and the pressure is on him to earn it this season.
The second apron era has made every dollar count. The Wizards can’t splash $68.7 million per year to Davis if he is only going to play 50 games. He is still producing elite numbers. There were rumblings of Lakers frustrations with AD near the end. Most of those concerns centered on his availability, and it has only gotten worse.
Lakers have known for years Anthony Davis wasn’t worth another max contract
Los Angeles had interest in trading AD before the Luka Doncic deal came together. Davis helped the Lakers win the 2020 championship and made three All-Star appearances with the franchise. There is no questioning his two-way impact and elite production, but the Lakers didn’t want to give him that much money into his late 30s.
The Wizards would already have a deal done if they did. Davis became extension-eligible on Aug. 6. The sides are holding off because AD wants more money, and Washington wants to see what the superstar does in their uniform. Davis still hasn’t played for the Wizards after the midseason trade.
Things only get worse for the team if they take Davis’ wish into account. Washington traded for Deandre Ayton to allow AD to play the four. It is what the superstar wants, but his shooting struggles make him less impactful at the position. Davis wants to play next to a traditional center. The Lakers know he’s best as the five, which further complicated their relationship.
Davis made the best 75 players in NBA history. He has won a championship and averaged over 20 points per game for 13 straight seasons. This is one of the best to ever do it. Under the old CBA, teams would be offering the max, but not now. Teams are avoiding the second apron like a hard cap, and get in financial holes quickly. Davis is simply not worth the full max.
AD might extend with the Wizards, but he will need to take less to make it a reality. No team is giving him the full $275 million. Not with his injury history. The Lakers were looking to trade him before that point came. They still can’t believe they got Luka Doncic in return, and now it is Washington dealing with the AD issues. Davis wants to get paid, but it won’t be every penny of the max this time around.
The Los Angeles Lakers have known for years that Anthony Davis was no longer providing max contract value. There are too many questions about his injury history as he reaches his mid-30s. AD is extension-eligible and entering the final guaranteed season of his contract.
The Wizards have to get a new deal done to keep him. How much are they willing to offer? Washington traded for him, so they clearly value Davis. This will be a fascinating storyline to watch.
The Wizards have the same thoughts as the Lakers. Every team knows AD has value, but it is no longer worthy of a max contract. The team has to decide how much less they are comfortable offering. Davis might go to the highest bidder in free agency, so fans won’t have to wait long to find out his worth.
Lakers fans aren’t surprised. They knew things would get sticky with AD. Luckily, the Luka Doncic trade saved the franchise from being on the other end of it. Consider it another win from arguably the best deal in NBA history.
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