Anthony Davis, Trae Young, and Tanking: Insider Details Wizards’ Audacious NBA Title Plans

Anthony Davis and Trae Young may not see the court this season after trade to the Washington Wizards.

Anthony Davis, Trae Young, and Tanking: Insider Details Wizards’ Audacious NBA Title Plans

Trae Young and Anthony Davis (Image via FirstSportz)

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Up until a few weeks ago, Anthony Davis was playing at his best, and the Dallas Mavericks were excited about the potential of the squad with Kyrie Irving‘s return on the horizon.

That hope, though, was shattered when the 6′ 10″ forward suffered injuries one after the other, which eventually was thought to be the reason why former GM Nico Harrison lost his job.

A healthy Davis would have changed the narrative, and maybe the Mavs would be fighting for a playoff spot rather than struggling to avoid being the worst team in the league.

During these last few weeks, his unavailability, combined with the visible frustration on his face, led many to figure out that the Kentucky alum was not happy.

The Mavericks worked with his representatives to find a trade, which eventually landed him with the Washington Wizards. Now, many believe his next rodeo with Trae Young and a promising young core will instantly make the franchise competitive.

Washington is doing something that is hard to do. They are in a tank, so I expect Anthony Davis to barely play at all this year, like Trae Young. They cannot, because their pick is Top 8 protected. As soon as they get their pick Top 8 protected, they are going to flip the car around… This is ideal for them.

Brian Windhorst said on NBA Today

The longtime analyst believes that neither Anthony Davis nor Trae Young would play this season, as the Wizards need to ensure their 2026 first-round draft pick, which they have swap rights over the Phoenix Suns, stays with them.

Gilbert Arenas believes Anthony Davis-Wizards can become title contenders

Holding on to that first-round pick is crucial, but not that difficult. If the Washington Wizards do not force Anthony Davis back in a bid to start winning games, that draft pick should stay with them.

Trae Young and Anthony Davis might not play this season
Trae Young and Anthony Davis might not play this season (Image via WizRoundtable/X)

The reason why Brian Windhorst and every other analyst who looks at these things will want the franchise to do so is because of the quality of prospects that will be available in the 2026 draft.

It’s a great trade for what they are trying to do… Pick-and-roll with Trae Young is going to be off the chain. Then whatever they pick in the draft, most likely they are going to have what, 7, 8, 9, 10? When Alijah comes out probably him at the 2.

Gilbert Arenas said

This was former Washington Wizards great, Gilbert Arenas, who believes this should perfectly pan out once his former team picks his son, USC star, Alijah Arenas. Despite all the odds, the freshman is playing exceptionally well.

If he plays at the two-guard position, the former three-time All-Star believes his son would complement Trae Young, who is one of the better playmakers in the league.

Then, with youngsters Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr flanking Anthony Davis, Arenas is sure this team, if healthy, can become a viable championship contender next year.

Anthony Davis’ arrival changes Wizards’ betting odds

When the Washington Wizards traded for Trae Young, it was believed that the star point guard’s arrival was going to start a rebuild that the franchise desperately needed.

However, it was also understood that the rebuild will only start next season, as even if the four-time All-Star returned from his MCL injury, the franchise would be deep in the bottom end of the Eastern Conference to attempt a late run.

Now that Anthony Davis has come in, at least the betting odds have changed. Before the NBA champion arrived, the odds for the Wizards to win the Eastern Conference were +200000.

Since there is a chance the 32-year-old could still play this season, those odds have reduced. It is still high, at +150000, which means that sportsbooks still believe it is unlikely that this would happen.

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