Davis and Wizards postpone contract talks until regular season
Washington Wizards and Davis have agreed not to rush into a contract extension, planning to assess the situation after the first roughly 20 regular-season games.
The Washington Wizards and Davis have agreed to delay negotiations over a long-term contract, ESPN reports. The decision was made mutually by the team's front office and the player's agent, Rich Paul. The plan is for the first approximately 20 regular-season games to give both the club and the player a better chance to evaluate the situation before making a decision.
Since Aug. 6, Davis has been eligible to sign a four-year extension worth $275 million. Such a deal would replace the player option for the 2027-28 season, valued at $62.8 million.
The extra time should benefit both sides. Davis wants to understand how competitive Washington will be, what the organization's long-term plans are, and whether it can compete for a playoff spot. The Wizards, meanwhile, want assurances about the center's health and performance after an injury-plagued season.
Last year Davis played only 20 games due to a hand injury and did not appear again for Washington after being traded. However, during the summer he trained with the team in Las Vegas, and the club says he has fully regained his physical conditioning.
Washington has continued to strengthen its roster this offseason: Trae Young has signed a long-term deal, while Khris Middleton and Deandre Ayton have joined. Together with 2026 No. 1 draft pick Dibants and Frenchman Alex Sarr, the club hopes to return to playoff contention after several unsuccessful years.
