Washington Wizards veteran Anthony Davis is unlikely to receive a max extension from the organization, according to The Athletic's David Aldridge and Josh Robbins.
Davis is set to enter the final season of a three-year, $186-million contract he inked in 2023 while a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
While his current terms include a $62.8-million player option for the 2027-28 campaign, he's seeking a max extension or a deal close to it, Aldridge and Robbins add. If Davis declines his player option, he'd be eligible for a four-year extension through the 2030-31 season in the neighborhood of $275 million.
Davis said in September that he'll play out the year before making a decision on his future with the team.
Washington acquired the 10-time All-Star from the Dallas Mavericks in February, though he didn't play a game for the Wizards last season due to a hand injury. Injuries have become a serious obstacle for Davis throughout the second half of his career; he's appeared in 63 or more contests in only one of the last 10 seasons.
Despite the 33-year-old's four All-NBA first-team selections and three All-Defensive first-team nods, his age and injury history are a sticking point for the Wizards, according to Aldridge and Robbins. The club is also looking to maintain salary flexibility in order to sustain an emerging young core that includes first overall pick AJ Dybantsa.
Long-term commitment or not, Washington appears content to see how its season unfolds with the one-time NBA champion.
"What I will say is, AD is in a great frame of mind," general manager Will Dawkins said at media day in September. "He's focused and ready to start the season. I would say he's very much a motivated player right now, and I expect AD to remind the basketball world who he really is."
