Anthony Davis plans to let the Wizards season play out before figuring out his contract situation with the team.
Davis spoke to reporters Monday at Wizards media day, which marked just the second time he’s done so since being traded to Washington in February. The 33-year-old has yet to play for the team after injuring his hand shortly before being traded.
In August, Davis became eligible for a four-year extension worth up to $275 million. Both the Wizards and Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, elected to postpone negotiations until after the Wizards season starts, according to ESPN, and resume talks after 20 to 25 games. Davis indicated on Monday that he won’t decide on a long-term future with the organization until next year.
“When the season is over,” Davis said. “I’m going to go through the season, and kind of do what I do at a high level, and then, when it’s over, you know, sit down and have those key conversations again with the front office.”
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Davis will make $58.4 million this coming season and has a player option for next season worth $62.7 million. Should the Wizards give him the maximum his extension allows, his new deal would average roughly $69 million annually. Should he decline his player option, Davis would become an unrestricted free agent. Injuries have limited him to just 71 games the past two seasons, which could impact his market.
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Shortly after he was traded, Davis said he wanted to see what the Wizards’ plans were to be more competitive after three years of tanking. On Monday, Davis said the team’s signings of Deandre Ayton and Khris Middleton in addition to drafting AJ Dybantsa were indications the organization is trying to compete quickly.
“We’re trying to win,” Davis said. “Trying to change the narrative around the Wizards.”
Trae Young’s Got Jokes
Trae Young was entertaining in his session with reporters. The four-time All Star played just five games for the Wizards after being traded by the Hawks in January. Asked if last season’s injuries to his back and quadriceps caused him to change his workout process, he hinted that he may have been healthy enough to play at times, but was held out to help the team’s draft positioning.
“I’m not really changing too much up in terms of what I do in terms of taking care of my body,” Young said. “I feel like last year was one of those years. I’m actually very grateful for what happened last year because if we didn’t, we don’t necessarily have AJ Dybantsa.”
Young signed a four-year extension with the Wizards in June worth $212 million despite his short on-court stint last season. The deal raised eyebrows across the NBA, given that Young is limited defensively with his 6-foot-2 frame and his ability to impact winning has been questioned throughout his career.
Young said several factors went into his decision to stay with the organization.
“Playing against these guys as an opponent I knew what they brought to the table as far as a competitive standpoint,” Young said. “When I got here I kind of knew that. And being as embraced as I was to the city I just felt like it could be another home for me. So it was a no-brainer.”
The 28-year-old point guard praised Dybantsa’s skill set as a 19-year-old rookie, while finding a way to compliment himself. Both Young and Dybantsa led the nation in scoring in their lone years of college basketball.
“AJ averaged 25 as a freshman in college,” Young said. “There’s not very many of us.”
Dybantsa Not Feeling the Pressure
A few questions after sitting down at the podium, a reporter asked Dybantsa if he was feeling any pressure as the organization’s first No. 1 overall pick since John Wall in 2010.
“None,” Dybantsa said. “I’m good.”
Dybantsa is one of three players on the Wizards roster who has been selected No. 1 overall along with Davis and Ayton. Assistant coach Patrick Ewing was the top pick in the 1985 NBA draft, too.
All three players were quick to point out the uniqueness of Dybantsa’s situation as a top pick joining a team that isn’t expecting him to immediately be the face of the franchise.
“I feel like there’s not a lot of pressure on me because I have such a great team around me,” Dybantsa said. “A lot of No. 1 picks come into a situation where they are the guy, everything is kind of set up around them. But I have All Stars on my team that I can really get under and get some knowledge from. So I don’t have to come in and carry this huge load.”
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