Bad news for Anthony Davis’ suitors: Washington Wizards star’s agent Rich Paul drops massive update

Anthony Davis' agent, Rich Paul, put an end to months of trade speculation this week, confirming the veteran big man will open next season with the Washington Wizards. The update lands just weeks before Davis becomes eligible for a four-year contract extension worth up to $275 million, a deal that could reshape the franchise's long-term direction.Paul's comments arrive after Davis spent the entire 2025-26 season sidelined, first with a calf strain and later with ligament damage in his left hand, meaning he still hasn't played a single game in a Wizards uniform since being acquired from Dallas.

Rich Paul ends Anthony Davis' trade speculations

Speaking on the Game Over podcast alongside Max Kellerman, Paul was asked directly whether Davis would play for Washington next season. His response left little room for interpretation: "Yeah.

Why wouldn't he." When Kellerman pressed further on whether a trade was quietly in motion, Paul said he wasn't aware of anything happening behind the scenes.

The exchange mattered because Davis had spent much of the summer at the center of trade chatter, with reports connecting him to the Golden State Warriors as a potential LeBron James reunion piece, and separately to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a deal built around Jarrett Allen.

Washington's front office has been just as firm publicly, with a source telling ESPN's Marc Spears the team has no interest in moving Davis and isn't entertaining offers.

Anthony Davis reportedly looking to secure a massive extension deal with the Washington Wizards

Davis turns his attention next to a contract decision that could define the rest of his career. He becomes extension-eligible on Aug. 6 for a four-year deal worth up to $275 million, according to ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel. Siegel framed the coming weeks as a pivotal stretch for both sides: "Very interesting scenario to see what will play out with Anthony Davis."

Siegel also noted that Washington may weigh Davis' extensive injury history before committing to a deal of that size, given he has appeared in just 243 of a possible 410 games over the last five seasons.The Wizards have been busy building around Davis regardless of how the extension talks unfold. Washington used the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on BYU forward AJ Dybantsa and signed guard Trae Young, acquired from Atlanta last season, to a four-year, $212 million extension.

Combined with a young core of Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly and Kyshawn George, general manager Will Dawkins has assembled a roster he's called a priority to keep intact, telling ESPN that Davis "wants to be here and we want him here.

"Davis spent part of the summer at Summer League in Las Vegas getting acquainted with his new teammates, another signal that he's settling into the organization rather than angling for an exit. Whether Washington ultimately agrees to a four-year max extension remains the biggest question hanging over the franchise. We will get the answer the moment Davis becomes eligible to sign next month.