The Washington Wizards took a huge risk by trading for 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis just before the trade deadline. The deal signaled a return to postseason basketball in the nation’s capital, and it appears that the 2020 NBA Champion wants to be fully ready for next season. NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Davis will sit for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, to return fully healthy by the beginning of the 2026-27 campaign.
Wizards’ Newest Star To Sit Rest Of Season, Debut In 2026-27
With Davis’ new co-star Trae Young also out until at least after the All-Star break, the Wizards will rely fully on their young core. With plenty of time to rest, Young and Davis should both be fully ready to usher in a new era in Washington basketball next season. For the first time in over a decade, the Wizards have serious title potential.
Davis sitting out will certainly cause quite a stir around the league. Young has yet to make his debut, and it’s still unclear if he will play at all this season. The Wizards’ tank is stronger than ever before, but that could turn public opinion against them.
The Brandon Ingram Treatment
For the rest of the season, Davis will receive the Brandon Ingram treatment. Meaning, Davis will not appear on the court, but build chemistry and cohesion with his new teammates in D.C. Davis has been put through the wringer with injuries in recent years, giving Washington a real reason to sit him.
The Toronto Raptors did the same thing after trading for Ingram last season; it’s working extremely well. The Raptors currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference and look poised to contend for a shot at a title. Ingram himself is having a great campaign and could compete for an All-NBA selection at the end of the season.
However, it’s yet to be seen whether the league office will begin laying down the hammer on resting players. Whenever Davis would play, the Wizards would no doubt win more games than without him and Young both. To keep the Wizards’ lottery selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, Washington must continue losing. If not, and they land outside the top eight, the pick will be transferred to the New York Knicks, making them even stronger.
Resting Rules
While resting both Young and Davis would be beneficial for D.C, it may come with financial consequences. In 2023, the league enacted a new rule for resting players deemed “stars.” A “star” in the league is anyone who has been voted an All-Star or All-NBA player in the last three seasons. This rule is designed to keep stars on the floor, rewarding fans for tuning in on TV or buying tickets.
The pair of new Wizards are both considered to be “stars” of the league. Both players were selected as All-Stars just last season, making them qualified for the rule. According to the rule, if they are healthy, at least one of the pair must play, or the franchise could collect a healthy fine. The first offense is only $100,000, with the second one hitting $250,000. For each incident after that, fines shoot to $1 million and remain there for each violation that follows.
The Last Word
Washington is in a tough spot. On one hand, you want both “stars” to be fully healthy come next season. However, in doing that, you run the risk of stockpiling fines that could end up costing several millions. Too much of Davis or Young could spell trouble for Washington’s draft pick, and unfortunately, it’s better safe than sorry.
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