Anthony Davis, Wizards Agree to Table Extension Talks Until Season Tips Off

Anthony Davis officially became eligible to sign a contract extension with the Washington Wizards on Thursday, but nobody is rushing to the table. Sources say Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, and the Wizards have mutually agreed to shelve any serious extension talks until the 2026-27 season is already underway, choosing patience over an immediate max-money commitment.

The move comes exactly three years to the day after Davis signed his last extension, then with the Los Angeles Lakers, and it arrives with plenty riding on the decision. Davis, a 10-time All-Star, is now the centerpiece of a Wizards rebuild that’s still very much a work in progress, and both sides appear to want a longer look before locking in years and dollars.

Why Washington and Rich Paul Are in No Hurry

Davis is currently in the second year of a three-year, $175.4 million extension originally signed with the Lakers, which runs through the 2027-28 season. He’s set to make roughly $58.5 million this season, with a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28 that looms as his next real decision point. Any new extension negotiated with Washington would replace that option year, and the ceiling on the table is significant — up to four years and $275 million based on his current max-extension eligibility.

Rather than negotiate blind, the plan is reportedly to let roughly the first 20 games of the season play out. That stretch gives Davis a real look at what the Wizards are building — how competitive the roster actually is, how the front office moves to add talent around him, and what Washington’s broader timeline looks like. It also protects the Wizards, who get to evaluate Davis’ health and performance at 33 years old before committing max money and multiple years beyond his current deal. Notably, Davis participated in the team’s voluntary minicamp during Summer League in Las Vegas, a signal that the relationship remains functional even without extension paperwork signed.

What It Means for Wizards Futures and Davis Props

The timing matters for anyone tracking Washington’s betting markets heading into the season. The Wizards’ win total has settled in the mid-30s across most books, with Vegas lines hovering around 35.5 and juice leaning toward the under — some model projections have pegged Washington closer to the low-20s in actual expected wins, a notably pessimistic gap between the market number and the on-court outlook. Washington’s championship futures sit deep in longshot territory as well, reflecting a roster still being pieced together around its franchise big man.

An unresolved Davis situation adds a layer of uncertainty to those numbers. If extension talks stall or sour once the season starts, speculation about Davis’ long-term fit in Washington — and by extension, the value of betting on this roster for anything beyond this season — could resurface quickly, especially with the February trade deadline looming as a checkpoint tied to his contract situation. Conversely, a strong three-week start from Davis and the Wizards could firm up the front office’s confidence in the current build, potentially nudging futures markets that have priced in a rebuild-mode season. For now, bettors weighing Washington’s win total or longer-shot futures are essentially betting on a roster whose long-term core is still an open question, not a settled one — which is exactly the leverage both sides seem to be trying to preserve by waiting.