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Wizards' Anthony Davis: Not expected to return in 2025-26
Rotowire
Davis (hand/groin) is expected to sit out the remainder of the 2025-26 season, Chris Haynes of NBA TV reports.
Davis was traded from Dallas to Washington on Wednesday as the Wizards look to accelerate their rebuild. The star big man hasn't played since Jan. 8 due to ligament damage in his left hand and was already expected to miss an extended period. While the hand injury reportedly won't require surgery, he isn't expected to suit up for Washington until the 2026-27 campaign, as the club gives him ample time to recover. The veteran center also missed time this season with a groin injury and a calf strain. He'll aim to be fully healthy by the start of next season and help the Wizards reach the postseason alongside Trae Young (knee/quadriceps), who holds a player option for 2026-27. Davis has a player option for 2027-28 and is eligible to sign a contract extension in August. He appeared in just 20 regular-season games for the Mavericks prior to the trade, during which he averaged 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.1 steals in 31.3 minutes per contest.
Davis (finger) was traded from Dallas to Washington on Wednesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell (illness) and Dante Exum (knee) were also sent to Washington, with Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham and Marvin Bagley going to Dallas along with two first-round picks and three second-round picks.
After months of speculation, the Mavericks will pivot away from Davis and will go all-in on a rebuild. Davis is extension eligible, and given the draft capital moved by the Wizards, it seems likely the franchise is looking to keep him for the long term. Plus, this will give Trae Young (knee) another partner in the pick-and-roll game. As for the immediate fantasy impact, Davis is still sidelined by a finger injury and is not expected to be re-evaluated until early March, and the Wizards will almost certainly be out of the playoff hunt by then.
