The Washington Wizards and Rich Paul, the agent for Anthony Davis, have agreed to pause discussions on a possible contract extension until after the regular season gets underway, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
According to one source who spoke with Charania, the delay gives both Davis and the Wizards roughly the first 20 games to assess the situation, allowing each side to evaluate how the season is unfolding for Washington and for the 10-time NBA All-Star.
Davis became eligible Thursday to sign an extension worth as much as four years and $275 million. The opening year of that new deal would take the place of his $62.8 million player option for the 2027-28 season.
Editor’s Picks
By pushing extension talks between the Wizards and Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports Group, until after the first quarter of the season, Davis will have more time to get a feel for the Washington organization. He can also judge how competitive the roster looks, evaluate the franchise’s ability to bring in additional talent and gain a clearer understanding of the team’s long-term plan.
The Wizards, meanwhile, will use the early stretch of the season to monitor Davis’ performance, the overall health of both the star forward and the roster, and whether this group is capable of making the leap the organization expects after the opening portion of the schedule.
Washington has lost at least 64 games in each of the past three seasons. Still, the Wizards moved aggressively last season by acquiring Davis and point guard Trae Young, hoping the pairing would speed up the rebuild and push the franchise into playoff contention. The team also expects the veteran duo to help guide a young core led by 2026 No. 1 draft pick AJ Dybantsa and third-year center Alex Sarr.
This summer, the Wizards secured Young on a four-year, $212 million extension. Washington also added Khris Middleton and Deandre Ayton during the offseason. Davis, who was limited to 20 games last season because of a hand injury, did not appear in a game for the Wizards after being traded to Washington before the deadline. He did, however, work out with the team in Las Vegas during summer league, where he appeared healthy and in shape in July.
When asked whether he had spoken with Davis about staying in Washington, Young said the two had discussed it.
“I ain’t on it too much,” Young told ESPN with a smile last month. “I think he knows where he wants to be right now.”
